Kolkata, Nov. 11 -- Chandernagore's nearly 400-year-old history could soon come alive after sundown, with the Bengal government planning a three-location light-and-sound show along the historic Strand.

The Tourism Department has invited agencies to design and install the show at three landmarks - Dupleix Palace, Jora Ghat and the heritage building of Chandernagore College. The sites are about 75 metres apart. Visuals will be adapted to each landmark's distinct architectural character.

An official said the initiative will showcase Chandernagore's Bengali and French colonial history, culture and riverine heritage for residents and tourists. The narrative will trace the town's evolution, from its establishment as a French colony in 1673 to its status until 1950, and its role in trade, education and cultural exchange.

Each site will host a 10-to-15-minute presentation, with the three shows together running for 30 to 40 minutes. Performances are planned every evening, repeating at roughly 30-minute intervals, with staggered starting times.

The script will first be prepared in Bengali and then translated into Hindi and English. Visitors will be able to select their preferred language through an audio system on their own devices. A QR-code-based ticketing system and mobile application are also planned.

It was learnt that each site will accommodate up to 100 visitors, with accessible arrangements for differently-abled people. Safeguards have also been laid down to protect the heritage buildings and riverfront, including concealed cabling, discreet equipment placement and restrictions on attaching fixtures to historic structures without prior written approval.

With the three landmarks forming a single storytelling route along the Hooghly, visitors could experience different chapters of Chandernagore's history without travelling between distant locations. The idea is to turn the Strand into more than a scenic riverside promenade, making its historic architecture the centrepiece of an evening heritage experience, said the official.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.