Behind Festival Lights and Wedding Sounds: The Unheard Efforts of Technicians on Ground

When we walk through Kolkata’s bustling crowd at Vivekananda Park or Hatibagan during Pujo or look and wonder at Cuttack’s famous Badambadi light installation, we rarely think about the people who make the spectacle possible. Similarly, during Diwali or wedding seasons, homes, pandals, and banquet halls glow with intricate lighting designs and thumping sound systems. Yet, behind this vibrant display is an army of small-scale engineers, technicians, and shop owners who quietly power the magic.

These are not just electricians or casual labourers. They are skilled professionals who understand aesthetics, electrical load management, sound acoustics, and safety protocols. Their work is both art and science, and without them, celebrations across the country would be dim, muted, and uninspired. Their efforts go unnoticed by most, but are felt by every family lighting diyas, every community gathering around a pandal, and every wedding guest marvelling at the glittering arrangements.

Small Shops, Big Responsibilities

In Delhi’s CR Park, where festive energy is constant, Ohm Electricals, a small shop in Market No. 2 sells lights, wires, speakers, and backup batteries to households and pandals alike. These shop owners often serve as consultants, helping customers choose the right products and offering repair services.

“At this time of the year, demand shoots up so much that I hardly get time to breathe,” says the owner who runs the lighting and equipment shop, while at once fixing a light chain. “People come in looking for decorative lights for their balconies, pandals, or weddings. We guide them on how much load their circuits can handle, which bulbs are energy-efficient, and how to set things up safely. It’s not just selling—it’s making sure their celebration doesn’t face trouble midway.”

In nearby B Block, Bipin Pal, who assists in setting up lights for community pandals, echoes this sentiment. “We don’t get recognition like the artists or the priests, but when the lights come on, the whole neighbourhood gathers. People are happy, and children are excited. That’s our reward.”

Bipin and his team of light technicians have been running around the area, ensuring that the pandals and the entire CR Park are properly lit with lights and sound for both the orchestra performances and the puja decorations. They handle everything—from preparing the wooden boards to strategically installing them across the pandals and managing much more—all within a short period of time.

These technicians often work long hours, setting up displays late into the night. Their knowledge of wiring, transformers, and backup systems ensures that the spectacle remains uninterrupted by short circuits or power failures. 

Bipin says, “My father taught me this craft back in our village in Chandannagar. We’d start by cutting a wooden board, painting it black, and then hand-painting intricate designs before carefully placing bulbs, wiring, and mechanisms to make it as eye-catching and creative as possible. My father’s designs were detailed but static. Today, we’ve added motion, colour changes, and other effects—but despite the extra work, our pay hasn’t kept up. We still struggle for recognition, and few people understand how costly the materials are or how delicate and demanding this work can be.”

Their work requires patience, physical stamina, and the ability to improvise on the spot—skills that only experience can teach. “It takes an entire month to build just one large-scale light board,” Bipin explains. “Now imagine a single pandal using hundreds of man-hours like this. No amount of pay can truly match the effort, but we still make do with whatever we are given.”

The Pulse of Festivals 

In Odisha’s Cuttack district, especially at Badambadi during festivals, lighting is an attraction that draws thousands. Sanjay Rout, a lighting technician who has worked on light installations for Pujo for more than a decade, explains, “We are like painters, but our canvas is electric light. We map the space, decide where to hang strips, what colours to use, and ensure that the wiring is hidden but safe. When people see the final display, they don’t know how much planning and sweat go into it. It’s satisfying, though, when they cheer.”

“You are calling us technicians,” Rout says, “the committees and normal people don’t even look up at us with any respect, for them we are like daily wage labourers, but without us their festivals and celebrations would never run.”

Similarly, in Kolkata’s Daw Bari, sound technicians ensure that the rituals, music, and announcements are heard clearly without feedback or distortion. Bikash Ghosh, who manages sound systems during festival events, shares, “People think sound is just speakers. But placement, mic calibration, and controlling interference are crucial. We sit for hours adjusting levels. Once everything is set, people enjoy the event without knowing what we’ve done.”

These technicians form informal networks across states, sharing contacts, tools, and expertise. For them, festive seasons are not just work cycles—they are community efforts that create joy for thousands.

Weddings, Big Budgets, and Growing Opportunities

With weddings becoming elaborate affairs, bigger brands have entered the space, offering curated lighting and sound packages for affluent clients. Wedding planners are increasingly relying on professional engineers for seamless setups, whether it’s a destination wedding in Jaipur or a luxury banquet in Kolkata.

Archisman Misra, Founder and CEO of StudioBackdrops.com, points out, “Wedding shoots and cinematic reels are in huge demand now. Photographers and videographers stock up on gear every season, from lights to drones. They want the best equipment to capture every moment. Our campaigns help them get what they need at the right time.”

Anita Verma, a wedding lighting and sound planner catering to high-end clients in Delhi and who runs a light and sound business under her own name, explains, “Today’s couples want unique experiences. From fairy lights cascading like waterfalls to immersive soundscapes, it’s about creating memories. But behind every glowing installation, there’s a team of technicians working in sync to deliver perfection.”

On the other hand, more accessible setups are still managed by local planners like Bipin, who also coordinates lighting for community weddings in Delhi. “Not everyone can afford designer lighting,” he says. “We work with what’s available and ensure the bride and groom’s families feel proud. Even simple LED strings, if set up right, can look grand.”

Celebrations Would Be Dim Without Them

From small market shops in Kolkata to major light installations in Odisha, from DIY home setups to luxury wedding productions, the unseen hands behind India’s lights and sounds bring vibrancy and warmth to every celebration. Their work blends creativity, technical expertise, and sheer dedication. Without them, festivals would be dark, weddings flat, and memories less alive.

As Sanjay Rout of Cuttack remarks with a smile, “People clap when the lights come on, but no one thinks about the sweat it takes. Still, when the crowd smiles, that’s enough.”

These are the real heroes of celebration—quiet, persistent, and indispensable. They turn ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences, one wire, one bulb, and one speaker at a time.