Kalakriti: Mohabbat the Taj

Mohabbat the Taj is a live theatrical production staged nightly at the Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Centre on Fatehabad Road in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, behind Hotel Trident and about five kilometres from the Taj Mahal. The show retells the love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, from their meeting to her death and the building of the Taj, using a cast of actors and dancers in Mughal-style costume, live and recorded music, choreography and stage lighting. The performance runs roughly an hour to an hour and a half in an auditorium with tiered seating, and dialogue is usually in Hindi with parts that visitors can follow through the staging and music. Visitors see elaborate sets, processions, song-and-dance sequences and a closing tableau of the Taj. It is designed as an evening activity for tourists, and many hotels arrange transfers. Shows normally begin around 6:00 to 6:15PM, though the start time should be confirmed when booking, since it can change by season. The ticket price depends on seating class and whether hotel pickup is included, so the cost should be confirmed in rupees before paying. The best seats are those nearer the centre, where sightlines and sound are clearest. Photography and video may be limited during the performance, and mobile phones should be silenced. Crowds are moderate, with tour groups filling the auditorium on peak winter evenings, so booking ahead during October to March is sensible. The centre also has a cultural area and craft displays that can be seen before the show. Fatehabad Road is the main hotel strip in Agra, so the venue is convenient for most visitors staying in the tourist district.