The renowned lighting artistry of Chandannagar has made its way from the banks of the Hooghly River to illuminate London’s Durga Puja festivities, strengthening cultural ties between Bengal and the diaspora. Despite the vast geographical distance between the two places, the essence of Durga Puja has seamlessly connected London and Chandannagar.
The annual Durga Puja in London is organized by the Bengal Heritage Foundation, a community of expatriate Bengalis. This year marks the 16th edition of the celebration, held at various locations across London. For the first time, the Puja is taking place at the iconic ‘Heritage Building,’ whose walls are now adorned with vibrant illuminations from Chandannagar. Aniket Patra, a London-based member of the organizing committee, remarked, “This year, we aimed to highlight Bengal’s rich cultural heritage and traditions. We hope the festival will become even more colorful with Chandannagar’s artistic lights.”
While the festive mood in Bengal signals the end of Durga Puja, London’s celebration is just beginning, with the main events scheduled for the weekend. Preparations, however, have been underway for some time. Lights from Chandannagar’s renowned ‘Sarkar Electricals’ have already arrived, bringing a touch of Bengali culture to the event. The illuminations feature traditional motifs such as Alpana designs, with intricate patterns lighting up the surroundings. Additionally, depictions of Hindu deities are crafted through the intricate lighting arrangements.
Due to logistical challenges, no artist from Chandannagar could travel to London. Thus, the festival organizers took on the task of decorating the Heritage Building with the lights themselves. The fame of Chandannagar’s illumination artistry is well-established, but this year’s endeavor marks a new milestone for the tradition, adding an international accolade to its repertoire.
This event not only highlights the global popularity of Chandannagar’s lighting art but also serves to strengthen cultural bonds. Through the decorations at London’s Puja, Bengal’s relationship with its diaspora has become even more profound, making the festival a celebration of shared heritage and enduring connections across continents.
