The historic and deeply intertwined cultural relationship between Lucknow and Kolkata is set to take center stage at the upcoming Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival (MSLF). This connection, which spans centuries from the exile of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah to the establishment of a 'Chhota Lucknow' in Kolkata and the subsequent migration of Bengali communities, continues to evolve. The festival promises a vibrant exploration of this enduring bond through art, food, music, and shared memories.
Curtain Raiser Sets the Stage in Kolkata
The journey to the main event began with a curtain-raiser held in Kolkata on December 13 and 14 at Studio Bari Kolkata. This preliminary event featured a rich program designed to highlight the thematic core. Attendees were treated to a performance by sarod maestro Ustad Irfan Muhammad, recognized as the last khalifa of the Lucknow-Shahjahanpur gharana and a Kolkata resident. The event also included insightful lectures by Dr. Neeta Das and G.M. Kapur on the shared architectural legacies of the two cities.
Other highlights included a presentation on interviews of Begum Akhtar by Saleem Kidwai, delivered by Shreya Ila Anasuya, followed by a vinyl listening session. A walkthrough of the Shahrashob exhibition, a heritage walk, and a presentation by the Sanatkada team from Lucknow rounded off the successful preview. Artist Soumyadeep Roy revealed that the festival team conducted extensive research, visiting Kolkata twice in July and October to meet individuals with deep Lucknow connections, ensuring an authentic portrayal of this relationship.
Raabta Lucknow Calcutta Ka: The Main Festival Unveiled
The main festival, titled 'Raabta Lucknow Calcutta Ka', is scheduled to unfold from January 30 to February 3, 2026. It will be hosted across iconic Lucknow venues: Safed Baradari, Raja Ram Pal Singh Park, and the Amir-ud-Daulah Library in Qaiser Bagh. Organizers state that MSLF 2026 will focus on the flow of people, crafts, traditions, and ideas that have knitted the two cities together.
The festival program is a multi-sensory experience:
- Weaves and Crafts Bazaar: The heart of the festival, showcasing artisan crafts like zardozi and kite-making that demonstrate mutual influence.
- Music, Dance, and Poetry: Performances that reverberate with the shared heritage.
- Culinary Innovations: A taste of the flavors that define both Lucknow and Kolkata.
- Exhibitions and Conversations: Exploring migration narratives, collaborative projects, and modern cultural expressions.
The expansion into the Qaiser Bagh complex reflects the festival's growing scale and ambition.
Celebrating Cinematic Heritage and Shared History
As part of the curtain-raiser celebrations in Lucknow, the festival will organize a special 'Shatranj ke Khiladi' heritage walk to the Residency on January 4, led by historian and documentary filmmaker Eshan Sharma. The walk will discuss Satyajit Ray's iconic film that dramatizes the fall of Lucknow in 1856.
Furthermore, a two-day film festival kicks off on January 3 at the Rai Umanath Bali Auditorium in Qaiser Bagh. This segment will celebrate iconic films that immortalized Lucknow, exploring how the city's unique character, history, and aesthetics have inspired some of Indian cinema's most memorable narratives. It aims to honor both the opulence and the stark realities of Lucknow as captured by visionary filmmakers.
The Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival 2026 stands as a testament to the understated resilience of cultural bonds. It is not merely a look back at history but a living, breathing celebration of how traditions migrate, adapt, and thrive, creating an unbreakable thread between two of India's most culturally rich cities.
