In a forgotten stretch of Karimganj in Lucknow, beneath the open sky and beside her beloved mom, Begum Akhtar now rests… simply as she wished. Her Mazaar, as soon as uncared for and forgotten, has been remodeled into a spot of grace: crimson and ivory partitions, white pillars, and vines that whisper of reminiscence. Right here, historical past just isn’t behind glass — it sings, breathes, and welcomes you in.
Be aware: A mazaar is a tomb or shrine constructed over the grave of a revered determine.
One in all India’s most celebrated classical singers, Begum Akhtar — the Mallika-e-Ghazal (Queen of Ghazal)— gave the world music soaked in emotion, fragility, and fireplace. But, the area the place she was laid to relaxation had lengthy been forgotten — a crumbling web site, slowly vanishing from public reminiscence.
That modified when a bunch of individuals determined her legacy deserved higher. At this time, her mazaar stands restored. It doesn’t appear like a museum piece. It feels lived in. Liked. It seems like somebody remembered.
This isn’t simply restoration — it’s resurrection. It’s what Lucknow Bioscope — half museum, half motion — is doing throughout town. From misplaced landmarks to ignored legends, it’s working to protect what makes Lucknow Lucknow — not simply in bricks and craft however in folks, poetry, and reminiscence.
As you stroll by the large red-coloured Lakhi Gate of Qaiserbagh in Lucknow to achieve the intricate white constructing of the ‘Lucknow Bioscope’ museum, constructed within the Nineteen Fifties, you’re feeling a sudden detachment from the day by day chaos. You step into the chapter of historical past books that was by no means learn aloud, however makes Lucknow what it’s at present — a spot of tangible and intangible experiences.
‘Lucknow Bioscope’ is greater than only a museum. It’s a energetic area designed to have a good time what actually makes Lucknow particular — its distinctive mix of cultures, seen by its historical past, music, literature, structure, craft, and delicacies. Consider a weekend to soak your self within the storied lanes or be taught the centuries-old craft like Chikankari — Lucknow Bioscope is the reply.
‘Town’s soul is simply too huge for simply 5 days’
The concept of Lucknow Bioscope was born out of the Sanatkada Lucknow Pageant, a five-day fiesta hosted by the Sanatkada Belief in late January or early February yearly. Consider Zardozi? You’ll get greater than that! From Chatapatti crafts in your ethnic wardrobe to Patili ke Kebab to satiate your palate, the competition is a celebration of Lucknow’s bygone and present-day charms.
“The competition’s been working since 2010 and has a brand new theme every year, targeted on Lucknow’s historical past, shares Tasveer Hasan, the artistic director of Lucknow Bioscope and Sanatkada Lucknow Pageant. “Through the years, we saved stacking all our analysis in folders. However in 2019, we realised this work deserved extra than simply 5 days of show throughout the competition. The gallery went reside final 12 months in June 2024.
And similar to that, Lucknow Bioscope got here to life — not as a standard museum with roped-off reveals, however as a dwelling, shifting archive of town’s heartbeat. A spot the place you would really feel the previous, not by silence, however by conversations, crafts, and recollections that also stroll the lanes. An area the place locals and vacationers alike might discover town’s spirit year-round.”
Preserving somebody’s reminiscence comes with a duty — to remain true to its essence. Lucknow Bioscope isn’t just about defending the previous however bringing it into the current. Whether or not it’s telling the tales of town’s heritage by houses and other people, or reviving areas the place essential figures relaxation, they imagine historical past isn’t one thing we simply take a look at from afar — it’s one thing that continues to breathe with us daily.
How Lucknow Bioscope revived Begum Akhtar’s Mazaar
As you start to grasp their work, Lucknow Bioscope emerges as a cultural initiative—a heartfelt collective effort to revive, preserve, and carry ahead the tales of Lucknow which have too usually slipped by the cracks of time. One in all its most shifting tasks is the restoration of the Mazaar of Begum Akhtar, the legendary Mallika-e-Ghazal.
“There may be an open stage that was inaugurated on 30 October 2024 to mark her fiftieth Loss of life Anniversary. The area is a sacred spot for classical music lovers who usually pay their respects on the Mazaar. We name them Haziris!” says Tasveer.
Yearly on Begum Akhtar’s dying anniversary, Lucknow Bioscope additionally hosts a public occasion the place singers like Shruti Sadolkar Katkar, Shuba Mudgal, and Chandan Das – to call a number of, have carried out.
You may cross by a crumbling constructing with no second thought—pale partitions, a rusted gate. However what if it as soon as echoed with poetry, music, or quiet revolutions? Historical past usually hides in plain sight, and preserving it’s not often simple—it is filled with obstacles, forgotten tales, and sluggish rediscovery.
Madhavi Kuckreja, trustee of the Sanatkada Belief, recollects, “The Mazaar was renovated in 2012 by the joint efforts of Sanatkada, Sadbhavana Belief, Takshila Academic Society, Archaeological Survey of India and Hamid Ali — beneath the steerage of Late Saleem Kidwai and Late Shanti Hiranand who have been admirers of Begum Akhtar. Nonetheless, the sanctioned quantity was too low for the undertaking. Some extra donations helped cowl the remaining value. We are actually aiming to construct a listening room with Begum’s ghazal vinyl data and accumulating donations for a similar.”
She provides, “Locals, initially, have been unaware of the location’s heritage they usually objected to musical gatherings. However over time, with dialogue and mutual understanding of pausing the performances throughout Azaan (prayer) within the adjoining mosque, paved the way in which for an amicable mix.”
Lucknow Bioscope and Sanatkada Belief now oversee the upkeep of the Mazaar, with the purpose of highlighting the contributions of girls artists and artisans to town’s cultural panorama.
Lucknow is a metropolis that thrives — not simply in monuments or archives but additionally within the Lucknowis – the individuals who have lived right here by generations. The extra you keep and let it settle, you’ll realise that there are tales to be informed and crafts to be found, that are completed by the folks, for the folks!
No middlemen, simply makers: The place artisans meet their viewers
Lucknow is understood for Lakhnaviyat. However what we see at present is a fusion of Indian, Persian, Afghani, Central Asian, British, and French influences that construct town’s distinctive multi-dimensional tradition. It’s usually translated by the fingers of native artisans who’ve gotten a platform to showcase their expertise with none third-party mediations by Lucknow Bioscope, which additionally has a tiny museum retailer — Sanatkada Store, showcasing the crafts, not solely from town however from throughout the nation.
“I used to work at a daily boutique beforehand. The orders have been positioned in bulk, and I needed to do all of the work on my own. There was no recognition or appreciation for my work. Now, with Lucknow Bioscope, I not solely get to showcase my craft but additionally work together with the purchasers immediately who go to our Karkhana (workshop) or the Sanatkada Lucknow Pageant,” shares Asma Aapa, who’s a neighborhood artisan of Chataptti craft. Chatapatti or Tukri, is a particular craft native to Lucknowi houses, which entails stitching collectively small geometric silk items to kind intricate patchwork designs.
The concept of empowering native artisans is noble, however it’s no much less daunting. Tasveer, although, clarifies, “Lucknow Bioscope’s work largely depends upon the funds raised by donations. No matter these artisans make is extra of a industrial setup that entails Sanatkada Belief. However we do work together with artisans from throughout the nation. Out of 300 native artisans, we slim it right down to 100, whose crafts are given a platform on the competition and Sanatkada store. We don’t cut price as we all know that their craft is invaluable.”
So now, in case you come throughout your bag with a Tukri patch stitched on it or your saree is laden with Mukaish or Kamdani work and also you need to hint the historical past of the craft, you understand the place to start out!
Lucknow is synonymous with tales that knock in your door in a gali that homes karigars (artisans) or when you’re merely soaking prior to now at Imambara. When historical past slips by the report and lives amongst folks, not only a caring gaze however a loving coronary heart is required to report these qisse (tales) for the approaching generations.
An area the place town’s previous welcomes you want house
In Tasveer’s phrases, “We are attempting to construct a spot that welcomes everybody who needs to know Lucknow’s lesser-known historical past. Whether or not it’s the competition from which this concept of Lucknow Bioscope was born or now, the museum itself, it’s a place the place folks come collectively. It’s an Adda (gathering spot) for many who love historical past and heritage. By means of numerous stroll excursions, workshops, visitor lectures and exhibitions, one can really feel the heat of this metropolis embracing them.”
At Lucknow Bioscope, tales breathe and historical past takes bodily varieties. From forgotten melodies at Begum Akhtar’s Mazaar to the fragile stitches of Chatapatti, it actually brings out the spirit of ‘The Metropolis of Nawabs.’ So, whether or not you’re from town or simply passing by, it’s an area that makes you’re feeling part of one thing historic and mystical, but at house!
Go to their web site.
Go to Lucknow Bioscope at: 130 J.C Bose Street, Qaiser Bagh, Lucknow 226001
Edited by Leila Badyari; All photos courtesy Lucknow Bioscope
