Like other urban cities across India, Lucknow is multicultural and multilingual. The culture of Lucknow retains its old-world charm and is alive even today. Lucknow is popularly known as the City of Nawabs and is famous for its fine arts, traditional cuisine, and the most generous people you will ever find in India. The Mughal era pretty much influenced the cultural heritage of Lucknow, and you find that Mughal touch in almost everything that relates to the culture of Lucknow. Be it the lip-smacking cuisine, dance forms, delightful music, or beautiful language, everything has a touch of the royal magnificence that Lucknow once flourished in.
Language and Religion :
The people of Lucknow use the Urdu language for mutual conversation. Though Urdu is the official language of Lucknow, Hindi is also the most common here. Other prominent languages of Lucknow are Awadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri, Koshali, and Koeli.
Most of the people in Lucknow consist of Hindus, but Islam is also equivalently prevalent in this capital city. Christians are also there in Lucknow, but comparatively less in number.
- Cuisine : Lucknow is recognized for its traditional food with a royal touch of Nawabs. The most famous dishes in Lucknow are the Kababs. One can see innumerable varieties of Kababs in Lucknow, among which the main are Galavati Kababs, Shami Kababs, Seekh Kababs, and Boti Kababs.
- Local Festivals, Art & Music : Lucknow is a spiritual place celebrating great festivals with grandeur and enthusiasm. The primary festivals celebrated in Lucknow are Holi, Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Lucknow Festival, and Vrindavan Sharadotsav. The music of Lucknow is fantastic, having a significant influence on ancient traditions. Lucknow is worldwide renowned for its classical, folk music, and dance. The artistic and creative skill of the people of Lucknow is also appreciated, and Lucknavi embroidered saris or bed sheets are a prominent example of their art.
- Lucknow Chikan : Lucknow is famous for its embroidery, including chikankari, kamdani, zardozi, zari, and gota making (gold lace weaving). Chikankari is a 400-year-old art embroidery work renowned all over India. It was developed in its present form in Lucknow and remains the only place where the skill is practiced today. Chikankari is a delicate and artistic hand embroidery done using white thread on fine white cotton cloth such as fine muslin or chiffon, constituting ‘shadow work.’
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