India. You’ve sometimes dreamed of going there but there’s no real chance of it. Television and the media usually give false impressions of the true India, the part that people are afraid to bring into the light, too ashamed to admit. That’s where The Taj Express comes in. Four stories by Indian authors, such as the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore, with ambiance recorded in the same places they take place. Stories about the conflict the people of India suffered when India became independent, the harshness of the caste system and life for the new generation, and the haunting greatness of what it once was.

The Taj Express, another Kumnstkopf Binaural production, is a prime example of what such a technology can capture in sound. The voices of the Indian narrators add to the magic, as do the short, yet touching stories of modern India. Some of the material may be a bit strong for young listeners, and The Taj Express is probably best suited for older people, people who can take the time to listen to these words of wisdom.

(note: I am terrible at writing down Indian names when I can only listen to them. Please excuse the fact that I would rather admit I don’t know how to spell a name than spell it wrong and sound like an idiot.)

The Blackmailer:
Robby - Jian (uncertain spelling)
Rita - Pina Sherif (uncertain spelling)
Mislata (uncertain spelling) - (??? ???)
Robat - Sheri Desai (uncertain spelling)
Girl in Photo - Mira Nier (uncertain spelling)
The Narrator and the Sait (?) - David Warlow

Written by - A(???) Azim
Translated by Ichval Achter
Adapted and directed by - Tom Lopez
Music - Tim Clark
Environments recorded on location in Bombay by ZBS

Lost Directions:
Chandra and the Narrator - Artensuch Nani (??)
Indra - Arti Raal (?)
Nimrala (?) - Vina Rabikomar (?)
Scooter Walla - Sook Ji Tsing (?)
Anenth (?) - Earnest Abuba
Man in the Tea House - David Warlow

Written by - Kamleshver (?)
Translated by Schrabin Kumar (??) and Rapaka Machuei (??)
Directed by - Tom Lopez
Music - Tim Clark
Vocals by - Shanti Czeclevatki (?)
Environments recorded in New Delhi by ZBS

Hungry Stones:
Storyteller, Karin Kahn (?) and Mehereli (?) - David Warlow
Persian Girl - Laura Estermann
Young Man on Train - Artensuch Nani

Written by Rabindranath Tagore
Adapted and Directed by - Tom Lopez
Music - Tim Clark
Environments recorded in India by ZBS

Initiation:
Narrator - Artensuch Nani
Yamunah - Yolande Bavan
Nani -Arjen Masular (?)
Chastri - Pasca Masular (?)
Godava Rama (?) - Mita Kosh (?)
Uduba (?) - David Warlow
Teacher - Earnest Abuba
Perpu - Sook Ji Tsing

Written by - Yuar Anantamorti (?)
Music - Tim Clark
Environments recorded in India by ZBS

Host for The Taj Express - Madhur Jaffrey
Vocalist in opening logo -(??? ???)
Ambiance recorded in the Taj Mahal

Executive Producer - Tom Lopez
Assistant Producer - Gail Turner
Engineers - Roma Baron, Paul Stevens and Ken Sone (?)
Announcer - Mohenikevral Ramani (??)