Who’s the proprietor of Lucknow?” A simple yet deep question set the tone for a thought-provoking discussion organised by Aadab Arz Lucknow at Colvin Taluqdars’ College. The session saw culture archivists, socialites, historians and custodians gathered at the session, featuring Sachidanand Singh, Ruth Chakravarty, Hafeez Kidwai in conversation with Kanak Rekha Chauhan as the moderator. What unfolded was not a search for a singular answer, but a layered reflection on belonging, memory and responsibility towards the city.
Atul & Upma Chaturvedi
(L) Carlyle Mcfarland (R) Dr Ruth Chakravarty
“We often say it’s our Lucknow,” remarked Kanak, “but do we truly carry a sense of ownership towards it?” The discussion moved between pride and concern, capturing the delicate balance between growth and preservation. Responding to this, Ruth Chakravarty, a retired professor from Isabella Thoburn College, reflected on the city’s transformation. “In terms of infrastructure, Lucknow is growing impeccably. However, its essence, culture of grace and courtesy, has certainly taken a hit,” she noted, pointing towards an erosion of the very traits that once defined the city. At the same time, she emphasised that Lucknow has always been a city that embraces.
(L) Dr Shaila Khanna & Anuradha Chauhan (R) Sudhir Halwasiya
(L) Kanak Rekha Chauhan (R) Nawab Masood Abdullah
Writer Hafeez Kidwai connected ownership with participation. “If we truly love the city, we must start showing it in our day-to-day actions, like caring for it, starting from keeping our city clean, maintaining the tehzeeb while talking to people and preserving the very culture we are celebrating.”
MM Khan & Yasmin Khan
Adding a touch of wit, remarking on the city’s laid-back pace, McFarland, former Principal of La Martiniere College, Lucknow, noted in retrospect on how the culture has evolved for the better, “At least the Lucknowites have developed a habit of reaching places on time, which is a noticeable change,” he shared.
(L) Mysha and Rayyan Akhtar (R) Shivalika Acharya & Sangita Jaiswal
Sachidanand Singh, Principal of Colvin Taluqdars’ College, brought the discussion to a close, talking about how the city would look in the future. “The citizens of tomorrow are slowly taking shape. Ten years from now, Lucknow will be very different, perhaps even unfamiliar to many of us. Yet, I believe the essence of Lucknow will endure in some form of culture.”— Amina Ashraf
