Celebrating 250 years of Lucknow’s legacy: Lights, camera, Awadh; city’s timeless charm on celluloid

Lucknow of the 19th century, especially the life of the privileged, has often attracted filmmakers in India. The era’s opulence, culture and architecture have been portrayed in many pathbreaking films.The city of Lucknow is on the precipice of British rule. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, a poet and art lover, is made to relinquish his kingdom in 1856. The decision breaks his heart, but he does so to avoid bloodshed. The Nawab abdicates while singing a thumri, while two of his courtiers Mir and Mirza are engrossed in a game of chess elsewhere oblivious to the events unfolding around them. This is a poignant and powerful moment in director Satyajit Ray’s classic ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’, which juxtaposes the Nawab’s tragic downfall with the self-absorbed courtiers, who in a sense typify the era’s elite.

‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’, based on renowned litterateur Premchand’s story, not only captures the decadence of Awadh’s aristocracy but also the city’s essence, its socio-political landscape. Ray’s meticulous attention to detail brings the city’s rich culture to life, showcasing lavish feasts, elegant attire, mesmerizing Kathak performances, and the intricate nuances of thumri singing.Lucknow of the 19th century, especially the life of the privileged, has often attracted filmmakers in India.

The era’s opulence, culture and architecture have been portrayed in many films, notably Muzaffar Ali’s ‘Umrao Jaan’ (1981). The film, based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s novel Umrao Jaan Ada, showcased the life and times of the city’s famous courtesans. The film’s lavish sets, costumes, and music transported audiences to an era of romance and refinement.

“An art form captures the soul of a culture. Awadh demands both passion and patience to absorb its essence and express its timeless ethos,” Ali told TOI.

Ali said his vision and attention to detail helped showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage. “The original ‘Umrao Jaan’ featuring Rekha captured Awadh in its most authentic way. Bollywood generally doesn’t go into minute details, but I passionately depicted Awadh through its vivid portrayal of the city’s Nawabi culture, architecture, and traditions in ‘Umrao Jaan’,” he said.He added, “The film showcased Lucknow’s iconic landmarks, such as the Bara Imambara and Baradari, which are synonymous with the city’s history and architecture.

The movie depicted the city’s cultural heritage, including its music, dance, and poetry. The film’s soundtrack featured soulful ghazals that reflected the city’s musical traditions.... I showcased the local dialect, thumri (a traditional genre of Indian music), and chikankari (city’s traditional embroidery art form) in their purest forms.

The entire shooting was done in Lucknow and some parts of Amethi, Kakori and Malihabad.”

“The film’s dialogue and characters’ behaviour reflected the city’s unique cultural ethos, emphasizing the importance of language, etiquette, and manners in Nawabi society. The movie was set against the backdrop of the decline of the Mughal empire and the British colonial era, providing a glimpse into the city’s complex history and cultural evolution,” Ali said.According to historian and columnist Ravi Bhatt, “Lucknow is the only city in India, and perhaps Southeast Asia, which has an intangible heritage and culture.

Known for its sophistication, the language here plays a major role, catching the imagination of filmmakers. Right from ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’, ‘Umrao Jaan’ and ‘Mere Huzoor’, these films were inspired by the rich Nawabi culture.”Film critics feel the city’s unique blend of culture, history, and aesthetics provides a captivating backdrop and inspiration for various films, especially those set in the past or exploring themes of romance, royalty, and social dynamics.

In fact, Ali’s directorial debut ‘Gaman’ starring Smita Patil also shows disintegration of Awadh, migration, heartbreak, hopelessness, wait and longing. “Awadh is intricately woven into all my films, as my roots here have profoundly shaped me and taught me invaluable lessons throughout my life... Awadh minus Awadhis is equal to zero,” Ali said.To infuse a real touch, the veteran director said he focused on minute details, incorporating elements like Banarasi panchui saris, Persian carpets, traditional lighting sources, intricately designed paan daan, exquisite glassware and ornate jewellery.‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand’ starring Waheeda Rahman and Guru Dutt is another classic that portrays Lucknow as a city steeped in Nawabi culture and tradition. The film showcases the city’s architectural grandeur, lush gardens, and ornate buildings, highlighting its rich history. The movie is set in the world of Lucknow’s Nawabi society, where noble women wear veils in public, and houses are divided into common and women’s only sections.

The film features delicate Urdu dialogue, lush music, and opulent visuals, reflecting the city’s cultural heritage. Although specific landmarks aren’t mentioned, the movie’s setting and cinematography capture the essence of Lucknow’s architectural style. The movie explores the intricacies of relationships and societal norms within Lucknow’s well-heeled Muslim social circle.In fact, the iconic song “Aye Sheher-e-Lucknow” from the 1967 film ‘Palki’, sung by the legendary Mohammad Rafi for Rajendra Kumar, is an ode to the historical city.

Penned by Shakeel Badayuni, a poet closely associated with Lucknow, the lyrics conclude with: “Nibhaye apni shaan bhi, Badhaye dil ki shaan bhi, Hain aise meherbaan bhi, ye Lakhnau ki sarzameen” - a tribute to the city’s grandeur, generosity, and warmth.The 1978 film ‘Junoon’, directed by Shyam Benegal, also portrays the lifestyle of the landed aristocracy in the Awadh region, with Lucknow being a major center of the 1857 uprising.

The film was shot in parts of Lucknow, Malihabad and Kakori.According to Nadeem Hasnain, a well-known social scientist, the cinematic connection between Lucknow and Bombay is longstanding, with each city influencing the other’s film industry in profound ways. A testament to this bond is the establishment of a full-fledged film studio in Lucknow in 1926, situated on Vidhan Sabha Marg. Born out of a collaborative effort between prominent zamindars and rajas, including Raja Saheb Maurawan and Raja Saheb Oel of Alipur State and Ausanganj State, this studio was initially known as Ideal Studio and later renamed Kailash Studio.

The 2011 film ‘Always Kabhi Kabhi’ starring Ali Fazal, prominently featured La Martiniere College in Lucknow as a key filming location. The 2005 crime drama ‘Sehar’, directed by Kabeer Kaushik and starring Arshad Warsi and Mahima Chaudhry, is set in Lucknow and delves into the theme of organized crime in Uttar Pradesh, showcasing the police’s efforts to combat it. The 1979 ‘Sawan Ko Aane Do’ was also shot mostly in the interior and outskirts of Lucknow.