Lucknow witnessed a unique cultural confluence as the event 'Lutf-e-Lucknow Khana aur Gaana' (the joy of Lucknow, music and cuisine) brought together the city's rich musical heritage and culinary traditions. Hosted by Lucknow Bioscope, Sanatkada Heritage, and Naimatkhana on Saturday, the evening was a celebration of Lucknow's cultural tapestry.
Storytelling Performance on Begum Akhtar
The highlight of the event was 'Akhtari se Begum Akhtar', a storytelling performance by Askari Naqvi and Zeeshan Abbas. Based on writings by Saleem Kidwai and S M Mehdi, the performance delved into the life and music of the legendary ghazal singer Begum Akhtar. Naqvi narrated stories from her life while rendering ghazals such as 'Wo jo hum mein tum mein qaraar tha' and 'Mere Humnafas', with Abbas accompanying him on the sarangi.
Askari Naqvi, a Lucknow-born performer trained under Pandit Amit Mukerjee and Pandit Gangadhar Rao Telang, has performed at national and international venues. Zeeshan Abbas comes from a long musical lineage and has collaborated with several renowned artists.
Awadhi Home Cooked Festival
The event also featured the Awadhi Home Cooked Festival, curated by Sheeba Iqbal, which brought together traditional recipes prepared by home chefs. “It was a very good chance to bring those recipes that were forgotten in this rush of contemporary life,” she said.
Dishes included Kundan Kaliya, Achraj, Dhungare Baigan, and Bharwan Aloo. Explaining the preparation of Kundan Kaliya, Iqbal said, “Kundan means golden and kaliya is meat, which gets its colour from spices used in the preparation. The dish gets depth in flavour through slow cooking and careful marination. It is not made in haste but prepared with patience and time. Nearly 24 hours of marination is what gives it its true taste and character.”
The event successfully merged the auditory delights of classical music with the gastronomic pleasures of Awadhi cuisine, offering attendees a holistic cultural experience.
