A small UK town in the East Anglia region of England will become the twin city of Amritsar as it celebrates the 125th death anniversary of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, with a two-week-long Punjabi festival.
Thetford in Norfolk was home to Duleep Singh and the organisers of the Festival of Thetford & Punjab believe the town has strong resonance with the lush fields, intense farming activity and livestock grazing of the Indian state.
"Elveden Manor in Thetford was home to the last Maharaja of Punjab for many years and Thetfordians are extremely proud of their unusual resident," explains Seema Anand, a historian and storyteller behind a special 'Punjab to Thetford' film, which will be screened on the last day of the festival on July 21.
The festival, a partnership project between Essex Cultural Diversity Project (ECDP) and Thetford Town Council, is planned as a cultural celebration as well as an exploration of the story of Duleep Singh and his cultural legacy. This includes his family, the political and cultural context of the time he was living in, and how this influenced Thetford and the surrounding area today.
"It was a place where he was most at home and at peace, away from the politics of Punjab and the puppeteers of Whitehall [British government]. This place was in fact, where he was at his happiest."
"The cultural legacy of Duleep Singh is as significant for Thetford as it is for Punjab. The festival provides an opportunity for audiences to learn more about his fascinating story, and get involved in a range of activities, talks and events. It is also a chance for us all to further explore the under-appreciated links between Thetford and Punjab due to this shared heritage," says Festival Director Indi Sandhu.
"For the rest of the world, the name of Duleep Singh conjures up the 'Koh-i-Noor', 'British Empire', stories of imperial occupation. It is imbedded with negative connotations. But for the people of Thetford, he holds wonderful memories," adds Ms Anand, who will also be coordinating some of the talks at the festival.
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