Lucknow’s art and cultural circles gathered at an art gallery in Aliganj for the opening of Mitti Se Mehrab, a solo art exhibition by self-taught artist and homemaker Farzana Sahab. The showcase commenced with Padma Shri Malini Awasthi lighting the ceremonial lamp during the inauguration.
Inauguration and Notable Attendees
The evening witnessed the presence of several esteemed personalities from the city’s art and creative fraternity. Among them were Prof Jaikrishna Agarwal, former Dean of the College of Arts, and Prof Rakesh Chandra, former Dean of Students Welfare and Dean of Academics at the University of Lucknow. Writer and cultural curator Yatindra Mishra, along with Noor Khan and other guests, explored the display and interacted with the artist about her vision of transforming childhood memories into visual narratives.
Other attendees included Arjun, Rita Bhargava, Renu Bhargava, Dr Mansoor Hasan, Uzma Hasan, Jamal Khan, M A Khan, Dr Rakesh Chandra, Nisheeth Kapoor, Madhavi Kuckreja, Aditi Chakraborty, Jayant Krishna, Manjari Mishra, Madhuri Halwasiya, Ritu, Akhilesh Rai, Shikha Pandey, and Bulbul Godiyal.
Exhibition Highlights
The exhibition featured around 55 paintings and mixed media works centered on themes of memory, identity, and heritage. The artworks drew inspiration from mud homes, traditional wall art, and architectural elements from Bundelkhand and Awadh. Speaking about the theme, Farzana shared, “The artworks take inspiration from memories of my maternal home in Bundelkhand and the traditional folk art I grew up around. Alongside this, I also created pieces inspired by Lucknow’s tukdi work and chhatrapati motifs, which received a lot of appreciation from visitors at the exhibition.”
Cultural Fusion in Art
The collection highlighted a unique blend of regional aesthetics, combining the earthy tones of Bundelkhand’s vernacular architecture with the intricate decorative patterns of Awadh. Farzana’s self-taught journey added a raw, authentic touch to the works, resonating with audiences who appreciated the emotional depth and cultural richness on display. The exhibition serves as a testament to the vibrant art scene in Lucknow, celebrating both personal narratives and collective heritage.
