Lucknow is a city synonymous with the Nawabi Culture.The imperialistic splendour and
magnificence of the Nawabi Era.has been glorified and eulogized down the ages by the writers,
poets and hitorians alike.At the same it's mystical elegance and morous ethos has cought the
fascination of many world famous romantics.Known for its"Adab and Tehzeeb"
(cultural refinement),
Lucknow is also associated with its legendary hospitality,leisurely mood of life,fabled edifices
steeped in history,world renowned cuisine and exquisite "Sham-e-Avadh"
. As the 18th century seat of the Nawabs of Avadh,Lucknow flourished becoming
an important political and cultural center,rivalling Delhi in its patronage to art and
literature.It was during this time that culture and architecture synthesized in emerging in a
distinct form now so typical to the Lucknow culture.The peace and prosparity under the
governance of the Nawabs brought about a renaissance in Avadh.Musicians and Dancers
flocked to Lucknow giving birth to new musical forms and instruments under the patronage
of royality.Art forms like Kathak,Thumri,Khayal,Dadra,Qawalis,Ghazals
and Shero Shairi
saw their finest hour.In this era major stress was laid on even minor detail like the art of
dressing,apparels(libaas) and jewellery all symbolic of a genteel lifestyle.The legacy of the
exquisite embroidery still lives on with equal Zest in today's modern era.Culinary skills,
too,reached heights of excellence as the nawabs were not gracious hosts but also extremely
fond of good nutritious food.Thus emerged the art of slow cooking.The royalty of Avadh was
also famous for indulging in extravagent pastimes like elephant and rooster
fights and kite flying,a game that still evokes passionate involement among the flyers and the
bystander alike.The field of architecture saw re-interpretation of the existing styles and
experimentation in the fusion of the occidental and the oriental style of architecture.
The magnificent edfifices standing proudly among the architectural skyline of the city are
the living examples of the nawab's architectural ingenuity. Modern Lucknow,spread evenly on
both side of the river Gomti,is a perfect blend of the ancient with the modern,as many glitzy
shopping arcades coexist with the old monuments.The greatest attraction of Lucknow,where
the past jostles with the present, is it's unique ability to achieve harmony amidst disorder
and to assimilate the new into the old.