GUARDS AT THE TAJ Of imaginations, trust and betrayal

Guards at the Taj spoke volumes about trust and betrayal while cracking up the audience on several occasions before it took a dark turn

As Humayan stands guard at the entrance to the newly completed Taj Mahal - an epitome of beauty in Agra, India, Barbur comes running to his duties. The two imperial guards at the Taj, played by Nandun Dissanayake and Eraj Gunawardena respectively, have contrasting personalities but are bound by a common objective to protect the sprawling monument. Guards at the Taj a play by Rajiv Joseph directed by Anushka Senanayake spoke volumes about trust and betrayal while cracking up the audience on several occasions before it took a dark turn. Although the setting took the audience back to 1648, it resonated modern and contemporary language. Barbur lived in his world of imaginations and even though Humayan reminded him to stay put, he too enjoyed getting lost in Barbur’s imaginative world. But their lives take a bloody turn when word got round that Emperor Shah Jahan has ordered them to cut off the hands of the masons and carpenters who were involved in constructing the Taj Mahal. Once the task was complete, their personalities change. The incident keeps haunting Barbur’s memories while Humayan continues his duties. Barbur was excited at the thought of standing guard to the Imperial harem and his wishes were about to be accomplished when the thought struck him that the Emperor has killed beauty. Upon shouting out his thoughts, Humayan takes charge of the situation and accuses him of blasphemy. However, Barbur soon realises that Humayan has breached his trust when he takes the next step to not only imprison him, but chop off his hands as well.

Apart from the lighting and sound effects, the play was coupled by rich Indian music arranged by Natasha Senanayake and Ridma Weerawardena.