Colourful light show and celebration of Sikh festival projected onto Smethwick bridge

The Canal & River Trust joined forces with Smethwick's Guru Nanak Gurdwara and green Sikh organisation EcoSikh to put on an eco-friendly light display as an alternative to fireworks, lighting up historic Galton Bridge on Saturday to mark Diwali and the festival of Bandi Chhor Divas.

The Smethwick Luminaire show involved brightly-coloured patterns projected onto the wrought-iron, 200 year old bridge, and roving beams of light along the top of the bridge, all using energy-efficient LEDs, while attendees lit traditional Diwali diya lamps, filled with mustard oil. 

The history of Bandi Chhor Divas, which means "prisoner liberation day" and marks the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Ji being released from Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh, rescuing 52 kings alongside him, was told in a video from the Basics Of Sikhi education campaign projected onto the wall of Galton Tunnel, and explained in a live talk by young Sikh scholar, Benita Kaur.

She said: "We light candles to remember the light of Guru Ji.

"The lessons from Bandi Chhor are if people learn more about god, they liberate themselves from the worries of the world, and the importance of helping others, as Guru Ji helped the kings escape by offering the tassels of his robe to hold on to."

The celebration was organised as part of the Canal & River Trust’s community initiative, drawing on funds raised through the People’s Postcode Lottery. 

The event was scheduled a little after Diwali to minimise potential disruption to local bat populations, whose activity decreases with colder weather.

Kuldeep Singh Deol, president of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick, said the Gurdwara had adopted a stretch of canal near Rolfe Street station, with groups of youngsters from the 650 studying scripture at the gurdwara school coming to do clean-ups and planting sessions. 

Singh also said that the Gurdwara has been doing lots to encourage worshippers who may previously not have ventured to the canal to use it as a walking route and amenity. 

He said: "It’s about drumming up interest as it’s our history as a city and I don’t think our community use it as much as they could.

“It’s fantastic how different members of the community came out and spoke to us. Guru Nanak Gurdwara tries to do as much outreach work as we can with the community. 

"We practice as the guru intended as we’re egalitarian and we treat everyone the same. It’s not about conversion, it’s about showing we can work together and enjoy life together”.

Lutfur Rahman from the Canal & River Trust said: “Reviving the Luminaire adds a special touch to this year’s festivities.

“Thanks to the funds we’re received, we’re delighted to be able to light up the bridge and bring the community together for a vibrant night of cultural celebration. 

"As a charity we’re really grateful to the sponsors and community partners that have made the event possible”.