Let’s get lit with heritage

Sir PM and Lady Flora discuss the positives from light shows at heritage landmarks such as the recently concluded event at the Afghan Church. Illustration/Uday Mohite

My eyes! My eyes!" Sir PM was rubbing his eyes in disbelief and from the glare, as they left the historic Afghan Church. The Neo-Gothic style church was the venue for a spectacular light show where technology turned the stained-glass windows of the Colaba landmark into an immersive projection mapping experience, Ascension, as part of the Mumbai Light Festival. The two friends were soaking in what they witnessed while taking a stroll in the church compound.

"It was the talk of the town everywhere, on the ground and from my pedestal…," informed Lady Flora, sounding like an around town specialist. "Friends told me that since it was a free event, slots were booked in minutes; young people lapped it up, took videos, and shared it on these digital platforms," she continued.

The two proceeded to the quiet by-lanes of Colaba, away from the memorial that was built to honour the martyrs of the Anglo-Afghan Wars. "It's origins are interesting… In the early 19th century, the Lord Bishop of Calcutta was keen to build a ‘chapel' for the East India Company troops stationed in Bombay. As the troops and the population increased, there was a need for a bigger church. The proposed church was given an impetus owing to the wars or campaigns in Afghanistan and Sindh in the mid-1800s and was a fitting memorial for the Indian and British soldiers who lost their lives," Sir PM explained. Lady Flora politely stepped in, "My maternal cousin was martyred in the Second Afghan War. The next time we're here, I'll look for his name. How awful that I didn't do it this time. Then again, the show was so distractingly splendid!"

Lady Flora added her two-bit, "A stained glass conservationist told me that in most churches and cathedrals, it was common that, apart from the main Altar Window, most stained glass windows were added as and when donations are made. Often, that would take years to fill the church. But with the Afghan Church, all the stained glass windows were a part of the main plan and were commissioned to reputed English studios!"

Sir PM echoed what was on Lady Flora's mind. "What makes me smile is how this event turned out to be a smart way to draw in the young to appreciate our heritage. Light shows were presented before at Kala Ghoda and the Rajabai Tower, but this event took it to the next level. Perhaps, due to the elusive location, and given that it's off the usual walking routes? Many may have never ever heard of the church, let alone know that its consecrated name is St John the Evangelist. And when you add this visual storytelling to the mix, it's a win-win."

Lady Flora chimed in, "Now imagine if this idea is replicated across other lesser-known landmarks? It will trigger curiosity for these sites. Schools and colleges should latch on to this idea, and ensure their students get hooked on heritage in this vibrant avatar. It's an evolved approach for the current and coming generations to engage with history. These light festivals ought to become a regular feature in our cultural calendar."

In a moment that revealed his penchant for dry sarcasm, Sir PM remarked, "Just like how the tower and steeple was used as a landmark for incoming ships to the Bombay harbour back in the day, imagine if we add this as a daily routine! After all, with low visibility, new sea-facing swanky high-rises, the tower and steeple are not easily visible as it was a century ago. We can kill two birds with one stone - draw in more crowds to appreciate our heritage, and help some possibly weak-sighted seafarers," he winked, as an amused Lady Flora smiled at her friend's witty summarisation of events. "This is about entering the city's harbour, Pheroze, not Film City," she chuckled.

mid-day's Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city's sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana

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