Shahrashob Exhibition Unveils Deep Cultural Ties Between Lucknow and Calcutta
The historic relationship between Lucknow and Calcutta received a profound artistic expression at the Mahindra Sanatkada festival on Friday. Artist-researcher Soumyadeep Roy presented 'Shahrashob: Letters Between Lucknow and Calcutta,' an immersive exhibition that traces the enduring cultural connections between these two iconic Indian cities.
A Nine-Year Research Journey Comes to Life
Based on nearly a decade of meticulous research, this exhibition masterfully documents how Lucknow and Calcutta have maintained vibrant connections through people, art, memories, and movement across centuries. Shahrashob transforms historical narratives into living experiences through a rich collection of letters, paintings, photographs, installations, soundscapes, and personal stories.
The 18th Century Foundations of Exchange
The exhibition begins its journey in the mid-18th century, when poets, artists, musicians, and administrators regularly traveled between Lucknow and Calcutta. This cultural exchange took a dramatic turn in 1856 with the exile of Wajid Ali Shah, the last nawab of Awadh, to Calcutta. His poignant words, "I carry Lucknow in my heart, yet I must plant its soul in the soil of Calcutta," capture the deep emotional attachment that characterized this forced migration.
Recreating Lucknow in Exile at Metiabruz
The exhibition meticulously traces how Wajid Ali Shah recreated the world of Lucknow during his exile at Metiabruz through:
- Music and dance performances
- Poetry and literary gatherings
- Culinary traditions and food rituals
- His famous menagerie of animals
His courtiers, companions, artists, cooks, and performers carried Lucknow's distinctive culture with them to Bengal, creating lasting cultural imprints.
20th Century Artistic Connections
Moving into the 20th century, Shahrashob highlights the strong artistic connections between Bengal's art world and Lucknow. The exhibition features reflections from Asit Kumar Haldar, a Bengal school artist who served as the first Indian principal of the Arts College at Lucknow University. In his diary, he noted that "While Calcutta shaped his art, Lucknow continued to live in his heart," illustrating the dual influences that shaped his creative journey.
Satyajit Ray's Personal Letters from Lucknow
One particularly fascinating section includes letters written by a 20-year-old Satyajit Ray during his stay in Lucknow while vacationing from Kala Bhavan, Shantiniketan. Writing to his mother from his maternal uncle's house, Ray described how the city's music, light, and stories influenced his sketches and dreams. Simultaneously, he humorously complained about domestic chores, even drawing himself sinking into soap bubbles while washing clothes. His observation, "Between soap bubbles and sketches, I am discovering Lucknow, a city that slips into my drawings as easily as it does into my thoughts," reveals the city's profound impact on his artistic sensibilities.
Contemporary Connections and Living Identities
The exhibition also turns its attention to the present day, focusing on individuals who navigate identities between both cities. These contemporary stories show people who belong fully to neither city yet are profoundly shaped by both. Sections like Huzn and Ishqnama move fluidly across past, present, and imagined futures, presenting Lucknow and Calcutta not merely as geographical locations but as living, emotional worlds that continue to influence each other.
Through this comprehensive exhibition, Shahrashob demonstrates how cultural exchange between Lucknow and Calcutta has evolved over centuries while maintaining its emotional core. The exhibition serves as a testament to how cities can maintain deep connections despite geographical separation, with art and personal stories serving as bridges across time and space.
