The Land Of Supreme Culture

21 June 2017 Lucknow reputation as a city that is the embodiment of culture, gracious living and rich cuisine lives on to this day. For anyone with any interest in the art, history and culture of the Indian subcontinent, Lucknow is a must-visit. The sights, sounds, tastes and smells of each corner of Lucknow are an exclusive exposition of the evolution of not just a city, but a culture and a way of life. Much has been and will continue to be written about this city and the zenith of its glorious past. Some believe the city has lost most of its charm and is bursting at its seems like a mufassil town on steroids, while others continue to know with conviction that Lucknow lives forever in the heart of those that will never be able to call anywhere else. I grew up in Lucknow and have never loved any city quite as much. Lucknow is aaram (rest), itmenaan (easy) and rehaish (the home that has nurtured me). Lucknow, remains, in large parts still, one of those places where tehzeeb (culture) and tameez (grace) is a part of everyday life the beauty of the language that the rickshawallah speaks, the swift twirls of a kathak performance, the perfection in each stitch of chikankari, the way the kebab melts onto the paratha or how the malai Gillori transcends the barriers of the palate cleansing paan and subtly sweetened mithai. In Lucknow, culture is supreme nafees. Ideally take a train because the experience of getting down at the historic Charbagh Station can be gorgeous in itself. You could also fly into the Amausi airport, but it isn't quite the same. The station can be really busy and crowded during the day, but once you reach there Muskuraiyye ki aap Lucknow mein hain. (Smile because you have found yourself in the city of Lucknow).