The city of Nawabs is set to host a grand celebration of its rich tapestry of arts, crafts, and culinary traditions. The much-anticipated Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival is scheduled to unfold from January 30 to February 2, 2025, offering a deep dive into the shared cultural heritage of Lucknow and Kolkata.
A Festival Itinerary Packed with Heritage and Art
The five-day cultural extravaganza promises an immersive journey. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant array of activities including live Awadhi craft demonstrations, a bustling weaves and crafts bazaar, and a special Awadhi home-cooked food festival. Unique experiences like the Umrao Jaan car tour, a traditional Bengali dhaak performance, and the Husn-e-Kaarigari-e-Awadh craft walk are key highlights. The festival will also feature the art of Bengali qissagoi (storytelling).
The inauguration on January 30 at Safed Baradari will open with the weaves bazaar and craft demos. The evening will be electrified by a thrilling dhaak performance by Padma Shri awardee Gokul Chandra Das and his troupe from Bengal. This will be followed by a soulful performance by the acclaimed Indian folk and Sufi music collective, the Murshidabadi project.
Day-by-Day Cultural Immersion
January 31 features a packed schedule: Taana-Baana Lucknow-Calcutta Ka, feminist heritage tributes, a car tour with Adity Chakravarti, workshops on intentional art, and a special Qasbati Lazzat E Khaas lunch at Sultan Palace (pre-registration required). The day also includes a lippan art demo and a keynote lecture on 'food, economics and society' by Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee at the Amir Ud Daula Public Library.
February 1 begins with Seher - Concert At Dawn featuring Ustad Irfan Muhammad Khan and Ustad Ilmas Husain Khan. Heritage explorations continue with walks and car tours led by experts like Deep Dive India and Adity Chakravarti. The day includes a photowalk on 'The Last Nawab's Legacy: Qaiser Bagh' with Basil Hashmi and a literary conversation at the library.
The final day, February 2, offers a photowalk on Hazratganj's hidden gems, another session with Abhijit Banerjee on 'Poor Economics' at Lucknow University, and the Husn-e-Kaarigari-e-Awadh craft walk with Noor Khan. The festival culminates with heritage walks at the Residency, Bengali Golpo Qissagoi, and the performance 'HUZN' by artist Soumyadeep Roy, tracing migration histories between the two cities, followed by the closing 'Rhythms Of Calcutta' by Gokul Das Dhaaki and his troupe at Raja Ram Pal Singh Park.
Celebrating a Shared Legacy
The Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival stands as a significant platform to preserve and promote the intangible cultural heritage of Awadh and Bengal. By weaving together crafts, cuisine, music, and scholarly discourse, it not only entertains but also educates, fostering a deeper appreciation for India's diverse artistic traditions. This festival is a must-visit for culture enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone eager to experience the soul of Lucknow in a contemporary celebration.
