Kolkata's Night Glow: India's City That Rivals Paris After Dark

Kolkata, a vibrant city in eastern India, is known for its rich history and stunning architecture. Recently, the city has started to shine even brighter at night, thanks to a unique project called the Kolkata Illumination Project. This initiative offers nighttime tours that showcase the city’s heritage buildings, all beautifully lit up. Tour leader Sujoy Sen guides visitors through the city’s busy streets, pointing out landmarks like the General Post Office, Raj Bhavan, temples, churches, and homes of historical figures. The tour is different from others because it focuses on how the lights transform these old buildings, making them look grand and lively, almost like Paris after dark.

The Kolkata Illumination Project was started by a group of passionate citizens called Kolkata Restorers. They are not an official organization but rather a group of friends connected through WhatsApp. Mudar Patherya, one of the main people behind the project, first got the idea when he saw an old market with a beautiful dome and a broken clock. He raised money to paint the dome and then realized it needed to be illuminated to be seen at night. After lighting up the dome, he used leftover funds to light up a temple, and soon he was lighting up more and more buildings. Now, nearly 92 buildings have been illuminated, including the impressive Raj Bhavan, which was once the residence of the British viceroy.

Lighting designer Suyash Narsaria explains that getting the lighting just right takes a lot of work. They have to adjust the brightness, change the positions of the lights, and use layers to highlight different parts of the buildings. However, the project also revealed that many buildings were in poor condition and needed repairs before they could be lit up. For example, the Hogg Market’s clock tower had stopped working, and the roof and floorboards were damaged. Mudar Patherya found Swapan Dutta, a fourth-generation clock repairer, to fix the clock. Dutta has already repaired several clocks in churches, synagogues, and markets. The Kolkata Restorers are not just restoring buildings; they are bringing back pride in the city’s heritage. Despite challenges and the belief that heritage restoration is too costly, the group has shown that it can be done with community support. Patherya hopes to light up 200 buildings, making Kolkata one of the most dazzling cities at night in India.