Mangles Tank in Patna City, popularly called Mangal Talab, could soon be your best bet of watching a laser show against the backdrop of fountains.
Giving stiff competition to the laser shows at Golghar and Buddha Smriti Park would be the multi-coloured show of delight planned in the run-up to the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in winter.
A brainchild of the tourism department, the show aims to delight an estimated five lakh Sikh devotees expected to congregate at Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib in Patna City from across the world this winter. The tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh was born in Patna Sahib on December 26, 1666.
The multimedia laser show, integrated with the dancing fountains, will be themed on The life of Guru Gobind Singh (20 minutes), Brief history of Sikh Gurus and religion (15 minutes), Teachings of Sikh religion (10 minutes) and History of Patna Sahib (10 minutes).
The shows would be run in Hindi, English and Punjabi between 7pm and 9pm. Around 500 people could sit on the steps of Mangal Talab and watch the show on water screen used as projection wall for video and laser content accompanied by Surround sound and special effects (bubbles/mist/smoke and dancing fountain). The music and voiceover would boom across the optically pumped high efficiency laser system. The HD video projection system and theatrical and intelligent lighting promise to enhance the overall experience.
Umashankar Prasad, the director at the state tourism directorate, said: “We have invited bids to engage firm/s to install the equipment and hold the laser shows. Initially, we thought of holding the shows at Guru ka Bagh but it was decided later to hold the shows at Mangal Talab, as more people could be accommodated. The bidding process is on and we intend to start the shows from October-November.”
Sources said the firms would need to mount laser equipment, video projectors, and sound and light paraphernalia. Moreover, 3D projections with video imaging would be used to depict different stories. Moreover, a viewers’ gallery and control room would also be developed at Mangal Talab.
Two fog and two haze machines would be used to create smoke, while software would be used to create 3D animation during the shows. LED lights and aqua screens would also be used to amuse the audience, reported The Telegraph.
“Scripts for the shows would be developed with detailed research and it would be artistic in nature with relevant music to make the presentation informative as well as entertaining,” said Prasad.