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Culture
 Lucknow',
this name is synonymous with architectural beauties of 'Lakhauri'
bricks, the fragrance of 'itra', musical notes, the sound of dancers'
trinklets, the sweetness of 'dussheri' mangoes, 'malai' and 'gulab
revadis', and of course its 'Mehman Nawazi'. Known for its refinement in
speech, entertainment, dresses and manners, Lucknow is also called the
'City of Adab'. Infact, it is here that one can experience hospitality
in the true sense of the term. Various cultural ingredients have
contributed to the richness of this unique city. Mention must be made of
the Urdu language. Gazals, Shairi, expressive dance forms, colourful
festivals, buzzing chowks and various exciting games like Patangbazi,
Baterbazi & Kabutarbazi
Lucknow became the
focal point of a cultural renaissance with theshifting of capital from
Faizabad to Lucknow in 1776. Under royal patronage Kathak, Thumri,
Khayal, Dadra, Gazals, Qawalies and Sher-o-Shairi reached their zenith
point. As a centre of Islamic learning Lucknow witnessed the formation
of Lucknow school of poetry under renowned poets like Anes, Dabeer,
Imam-Buksh 'Nasika', Mirza Mohd. Raza Khan Burq, Atish, Mirza Shauq Asar,
Josh and others. Apart from Gazals, another form of long narrative poem
for which Lucknow is famous is Masnavi. Elegy writing in Urdu also
reached a new height through the three forms-'marsiyas'*. 'salams'* and
'nauhas'*. Urdu as a language attained a rare degree of perfection in
Lucknow and slowly Lucknow emerged as a cradle of unforgettable gazals,
masnavi, elegy, hazal* and dramas.
Nawab Wajid Ali Shah,
himself composed a number of songs and dramas under the pen name of , 'Akhtari
Pia'. Of the famous Indian dance styles kathak is closely associated
with Lucknow. |
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 This devotional
dance stvle of pre-Mughal days was transformed into a highly eclectic dance
form under the patronage of the Nawabs of Awadh. Pandit Iswari Prasad Mishra
of Handia is said to be the founder of the Lucknow gharana of Kathak.
The Kathak school
founded by him was perfected by his sons Thakur Prasad, Durga Parsad.
Bindadin. Kalka Prasad and the three sons of Kalka -Achchhan Maharaj,
Lachchu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj. Today Pandit Birju Maharaj is the
living doyen of this glorious house of Lucknow
Turning to the
festivals that make, Lucknow one-of-a-kind, mention must be made to the
Moharrum festival.
Commemorating the
death of Imam Hussain, Moharrum witnesses emotional processions of
tazias (models of Imam Hussain's mausoleum at Karbala, Iraq) & Alam's.
Not only festivals,
the people of this beautiful city 'indulge in various exciting contests
that have come down from the time of the Nawabs. Kite flying is one
such sport. Kites of different shapes, sizes, colours take to the skies
leading to all round excitement and enjoyment The art of training
pigeons which was |
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perfected by the
nobility of yesteryears is prevalent even today. The pigeon flying event
is yet another exciting game that is eagerly awaited. No account of
Lucknowi culture is complete without a mention of the famous 'Chowk' of
Lucknow.
The term 'Chowk'
has become synonymous with Lucknow. 'Chowk' has played a vital role in
the development of the Lucknowi culture. It is the pivotal point around
which the traders, engravers, painters. artisans, weavers,singers and
nautch girls flourished and grew. This main bazar of yester years has
not changed much. but transformation is there. Its humming and lively
characteristics represent Lucknowi culture in its modern day context. |
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CRAFTS |
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 For
centuries Lucknow has been famous for its various handicraft
works. The Nawabs of Awadh were great patrons of fine arts
of which the most well known is the exquisite Chikan work. Chikan
is a unique craft involving delicate and artistic hand
embroidery In a variety of textile fabric like muslin, siIk,
chiffon, organza, doriya and organdi. There are 36 types of
stitches used in chikan work. of which murri, bakhia, ,jali,
tepchi, tappa, dhum, katao are widely used to produce
exquisite designs. Lucknow
has produced many renowned artisans of chikan work like Ustad
Faiyaaz Khan and Hasan Mirza Saheb . |
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Apart from
kurtas. sarees. salwar suits, topis, hankeys and dupattas, chikan
embroidery is being used on new items I ike table covers, tray
covers, napkins etc. The demand for these exquisite art
pieces is ever increasing both in India and abroad. In Lucknow
the main concentration of chikan work is to be found in the
chowk locality and Daliganj. Besides chikan work the Zardozi
and Kamdani works of Lucknow are also appreciated far and
wide.
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These hand
embroidery works with gold and silver thread are done on sarees,
dupattas, lehengas, cholis, caps, shoes etc. From time
immemorial Lucknow is known for its jewellery and enamelling
work. |
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 Exquisite
silverwares like bowls, tea-sets, salt cellars with patterns of
hunting scenes, snakes and roses are very popular. The Bidri
and Zarbuland silver works of Lucknow |
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 find
expression on excellent pieces of huqqa farshi, jewel boxes,
trays, bowls, cuff-Iinks, cigarette holders, etc. Life -like
ivory and bone carvings from Lucknow with motifs of flowers,
leaves, creepers, trees, birds and animals are widely
appreciated. The master craftsmen create intricate items like
knives, lamp shades, shirt pins and small toys. In fact the
ivory works from this city continue to find a place at museums
and private collections of connoisseurs Fine pottery
from Lucknow is yet another work of art that has captured
the imagination of the consumers. The long necked water
pitchers and huqqa farshi are specially popular. 'Attar'('Itr')
or perfumes which were introduced in India by the Muslims,
reached a new hight in Lucknow. From the 19th century the
Lucknow perfumers experimented and succeeded in making
attar with del icate and lasting fragrances Created from
various aromatic herbs, spices, sandal oil, musk essence of
flowers, and leaves the famous Lucknowi fragrances are khus,
keora, chameli, zafran and agar Apart from perfumes, Lucknowi
Paan, Zarda (chewing tobacco), and Khamira produced by
the local tobacconists are hot favourites among consumers.
Another craft that has reached a high level of artistry in
Lucknow is Kite making. Although Kite making is popular
throughout India, this activity has attained perfection only
in Lucknow. Under Nawabi patronage this form of art flourished
in Lucknow and different types of Kites and flying strings
were developed. Besides these well known craft works,
mention must be made to some other flourishing crafts like
gota weaving, dyeing and calico printing, silver varq
making, woodworks and tazia making. Beautiful tazias of zari,
gold and silver paper are made by master craftsmen to mark the
solemn occasion of Moharrum. All in all, with these
multiferious craft specialities Lucknow promises to be a
shoppers' delight that's hard to resist. In their own
distinctive wav these crafts have provided employment
to thousands, delighted many more and continues to keep
alive the invaluable traditions of a magnificent city  |
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