Oudh 1590 near Vivekananda Park paid tribute to Awadh and its ruler Wajid Ali Shah on his 196th birthday on July 30, with an interaction between Shahenshah Mirza, the great-great grandson of Wajid Ali Shah and art curator and moderator Oindrila Dutta where the life, times, reign and food of the famous ruler were the topic of conversation. Distinguished personalities from the city came together to attend the talk and what followed was an hour-and-a-half-long discussion that attracted many curious questions from the audience.
“We have been celebrating this day for the last five years with a different theme each time and this year we have taken the initiative to declare this day as World Biryani Day. We are already in the process of communicating with the relevant authorities,” said Shiladitya and Debaditya Chaudhury, partners, Oudh 1590.
Only t2 was present. Snapshots...
“The rulers of Awadh were great champions of secularism. They never discriminated against anyone on grounds of religion. They were able to establish deep roots of secularism and as a result the capital. From being a connoisseur of food, to art and culture, Wajid Ali Shah was a man of many interests and all of that reflects in the rich legacy that he left behind, not to forget the addition of potato to biryani that resulted in our favourite Calcutta-style Biryani,” said Shahenshah Mirza, (in picture) in conversation with Oindrila Dutt.
Running simultaneously with the conversation was a live painting done by Tinku Das which was his expression of Awadhi culture and food. “The painting is practically the essence of Lucknow that I have experienced through colours and flavours. Red is associated with food and hence the amalgamation came through. The Chinese do use a lot of red in their culinary ambience as well,” said the painter.
The interaction was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony where the cake had a portrait of Wajid Ali Shah. Salgirah mubarak ho, the Urdu term for happy birthday was sung with loud cheer!
“The history that I was taught inevitably is a very British view. The verse, the music, the food was something that I wasn’t really aware of. I got an insight into a lot of rich history. I prefer the Bengali biryani as the potato adds to it,” said Bruce Bucknell, British deputy high commissioner.
“It was wonderful. I think palaces have always been things that give us goosebumps and here the story is actually the truth, which makes it even more interesting,” said Agnimitra Paul, fashion designer.
TEA-E-TETE: Tea, titbits and some gupshup. That’s what was on the menu at Diva’s Hi-Chai at the Tea Lounge of The Lalit Great Eastern on July 20. Madhumita Mohanta, the hotel’s executive chef, laid out seven types of tea and three different high-tea spreads.
Modelled on the British concept of high tea, the afternoon at The Lalit was complete with bagels, scones, puffs, brownies, smoked salmon with caper berry, lettuce heart chive cream cheese, apple and raisin scones with clotted cream. The city’s love for “Jol Khabar” wasn’t forgotten with a section serving up items like jhalmuri, fulkopir singara and mangsher chop. The afternoon was co-hosted by pianist Rajlaxmi Syam.
And how could an evening dedicated to Wajid Ali Shah be complete without food? From the bestseller Galauti Kebab to Sugandhi Kebab, and Corn Seekh Kebab, there were plenty of options to munch on.
Pictures: Rashbehari Das
