Purana Qila’s light and sound show delayed amid revamp plans

The much-anticipated light and sound show at the historic Purana Qila has been delayed once again as authorities undertake a revamp to enhance its visual appeal.

“The light and sound show has been postponed for a few more months as we are upgrading and revamping the site,” said an official from the Ministry of Tourism, without confirming the exact timeline.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Tourism to execute the project. It is being carried out by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) under the Union Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with ASI.

Also read: ASI shelves plan to introduce cultural events, facilities at Safdarjung Tomb

The show was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic when ASI protected heritage sites were closed due to lockdown restrictions, and it has yet to resume.

Officials had previously stated that the show would restart around the time of the G20 summit in New Delhi in 2023, but it did not happen for unknown reasons.

The earlier light and sound show, Ishq-e-Dilli, narrated how Delhi was destroyed and rebuilt seven times, chronicling the city’s history from the era of Prithviraj Chauhan to the launch of the Delhi Metro.

According to a Ministry of Tourism official, the revamped show will differ significantly from its predecessor.

“Visitors will be able to enjoy the show in at least seven different languages, and around 400 people can watch it in one sitting,” the official said.

“We will be delivering multilingual content. Visitors will receive special headphones, allowing them to choose their preferred language, creating a more immersive experience,” he added.

Unlike the previous version, which had a longer runtime, the new show will run for approximately 25 minutes, making it shorter and more engaging.

“It will offer a crisp and compelling narration of Delhi’s history,” the official explained.

Additionally, e-carts will be introduced for the convenience of senior citizens and differently- abled visitors. “We want to ensure accessibility so that everyone can enjoy the show without inconvenience,” he said.

The ITDC website currently states that the show is “not running as it is being upgraded.”

Patriot recently visited Purana Qila’s southern gateway, Humayun Darwaza, where the setup has already been installed.

Laser and LED lights have been placed, and a control room has been set up. However, the curtains used for the show appear damaged and covered in dust.

Several trial runs have been conducted, but there has been no official confirmation on when the show will resume.

An ASI official from the Delhi circle mentioned that an ITDC audit team recently visited Purana Qila regarding the show’s resumption.

The initiative aims to boost night tourism at Purana Qila, similar to other prominent monuments in the capital. “This will surely attract both local and foreign visitors,” the official said.

ASI is currently promoting night tourism across Delhi by focusing on monument illumination, light and sound shows, and cultural events.

Popular heritage sites like Red Fort and Qutub Minar already host evening light and sound shows.

Currently, Purana Qila is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. However, it has recently hosted several nighttime musical performances.

Also read: Romance and defacement: Delhi’s monuments bear scars of vandals in love

The monument’s historic charm has also made it a sought-after location for Bollywood films, with notable appearances in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak De! India, Kangna Ranaut starrer Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Jannat 2 which featured Emraan Hashmi.

Purana Qila attracts around three lakh visitors annually, a significantly lower number than other monuments like the Red Fort and Qutub Minar, which see up to 25 lakh visitors per year.