‘SHOPS HAVE GROWN IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, SELLING READYMADE LED PANELS WITHOUT COMPLEX ANIMATION DESIGNS.’

3D mechanical and electrical animation lights are the USP of Chandannagar light artists now. It may be the only kind of work to survive here.

DIBYENDU BISWAS, light-maker

simple LED panels without complicated animation designs. For the customers it often makes more sense to buy these panels since it is a one-time investment and there are no carrying costs,” says light artist Dibyendu Biswas. Being simple, the panels often cost less – ideal for someone who wants a touch of Chandannagar lighting at a celebration but is on a tight budget. Traditionally, the light artists of Chandannagar rent out their works: “It keeps bringing business back,” explains Pal.

THE WORKS…

Light artists have coped with the challenge by concentrating more on big 3D animated models set with lights. “3D mechanical and electrical animation lights is the USP of Chandannagar light artists now, in the years to come, it may be the only kind of work to survive here,” agrees Biswas. Behind him are huge metal models of a dragon, helicopter, a huge bird of prey. Pal is working on a series of figures with elaborate masks, and Dey has at his workshop a model of an Indian Army tank. “We use motorised movement and computer graphics for the animation,” says Biswas.

The artists are also looking beyond Durga Puja at other celebrations across India to widen their market – Diwali in Delhi, Ganpati puja in Mumbai. Last year, Pal decorated Amitabh Bachhan’s houses for Diwali. He also does the lighting of Park Street in Kolkata during Christmas with Asim Dey. “Demand from the rest of India is growing at about 12 per cent every year,” says Dey, adding, “there are challenges, one has to keep innovating to survive.”

The shops at Bidyalanka know their limits and their clientele. “We only have simple panels here. If you want complex animated lights or big models, there are artists here with big workshops. You have to go to them,” says Manoj Sau helpfully. But in his own small, unpretentious way he and the other readymade light shop owners in Bidylanka, are helping in spreading Chandannagar’s light.