Aboard the Taj Express

In New York and London,spending a Saturday evening at the theatre watching timeless musicals like C.A.T.S and Mamma Mia is quite a regular affair. But though India has had its share of musicals,it has been starved for performances featuring original scripts.

Taj Express,a musical with lavish sets directed by choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant’s sister Shruti Merchant,aims to change this. The choreography by Vaibhavi will imbibe various dance forms,including the South Indian Kooth,Shiva’s Tandav and Maharashtra’s Lavani. The music has been composed by the famous musician duo Salim-Sulaiman and has Pallavi Sharda and Pulkit Samrat in the lead. The musical will open in Mumbai on July 10 and travel to Delhi after a few months.

The story revolves around Vasu,a street-smart thief who falls in love with Meera,a policeman’s daughter. Meera doesn’t know of his existence until destiny brings them together on the Taj Express. From Varanasi to Agra and Mumbai to Jaisalmer,the show takes the audience on a journey through India as the couple spew limericks at each other and dance to songs — many of which are predominantly folk tunes. “It’s like a motion picture but a bolder attempt,” says Khyati Binde,executive producer of Taj Express.