Qais
LucknowPulse has partnered with Salempur Estate and POSH to organize Begum: Festival of Traditional Colours, an annual Awadhi Cultural Festival focused on the women of erstwhile Awadh – which is now geographically identified as Lucknow and its surrounding districts.
Under the aegis of Posh and Salempur, a six-day exhibition and cultural festival based on the theme “Begum” dedicated to Princess Khairunnisa, an important figure of the Salempur estate, is being organized in the Salempur House from 25th March till 30th March 2022. The organizer of the Posh exhibition is Asma Hasan, the daughter-in-law of the Salempur family. From 25th-30th March, Posh Exhibition will showcase a variety of products in home décor and lifestyle category along with a food court to promote the cuisine of Awadh.
The festival was inaugurated on 25th March 2022. In the press conference held at Salempur House on 24th March, Syed Rushdi Hasan, the convener of the festival said that memorial lectures will be organized on five great personalities of Awadh, namely Begum Hazrat Mahal, Begum Akhtar, Qurrat-ul-Ain Haider, Rani Swaroop Kumari Bakshi, and Begum Hamida Habibullah. During the next 5 days festival, various literary, cultural events and contests will be organized to promote the child and youth talent in Lucknow. The events include Sketch n Draw Contest, Open Mic, Music Fest, and Performing Arts contest for aspiring talent in oratory, acting, dance, singing, and music.
On 27th March, some of the eminent women achievers from different fields will be honored during the Awards Night. Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia would be the Chief Guest for the Awards function.
On the first day of Begum: Festival of Traditional Colours, Prof. Sabra Habib delivered an informal talk on Begum Hazrat Mahal to celebrate the power of womenfrom the historical state of Awadh. Here are a few moments from the first day of the Cultural Festival in pictures.
Najeeb Khan
