A small town in the Hooghly district of Bengal, Chandanagar, is today famous in the country and the world for its Jagadhatri worship and lighting. The lights here have been used to illuminate the residence of some of the most well known Bollywood superstars like Amitabh Bachchan‘s Ashiana ‘Jalsa’ to the skyscraper of the country’s renowned industrialist Mukesh Ambani, Antilia.
Not just the residence, but when in 2018 Priyanka Chopra got married in Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace was decorated like a bride from the lights of Chandannagar. This amazing twinkling light artist was possible only because of Supreme Kumar Pal aka Babu Pal.
Babu Lal’s work is not just famous in the country but even across the border. In 1998, he got an opportunity to work for the shopping festival in Dubai. He had elaborated on the theme of Indian culture there. Similarly, the Italian Embassy was also highlighted. He has also worked in South Africa and recently got an offer from Kenya.
He is a self-made entrepreneur and today he is providing employment to 40 people. Whenever there is a discussion of the lights of Chandannagar, the first name that pops is of Kumar Pal. From the Durga Puja in Kolkata to the glittering of themed lights on Park Street during Christmas, it is all because of Babu Pal.
Sharing his experience, Babu Lal said,
This is a work in which creativity is very important. A lot of attention has to be paid to preparing themes with lights. I have my own creative team. We do a lot of deliberation before starting work on any theme so that something different can be done.
Babu Pal’s arrival in the world of lighting was a coincidence. He said that for the past three generations his family was associated with the iron business. His lack of interest in the family business encouraged him to try something new. His friend introduced him to the lighting industry and even though he had no skills he worked hard to make a successful living out of it.
