Thu Nov 20 03:53:26 UTC 2025: Summary:
Kolkata is set to host events celebrating Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, and the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (culture of communal confluence) that flourished under his rule. An art exhibition titled “Shahrashob — Letters between Lucknow and Calcutta” will showcase the historical and cultural connections between Lucknow and Kolkata through the works of artist Soumyadeep Roy. Additionally, a heritage food walk called “Biryani and Beyond” in Kidderpore will highlight the area’s diverse culinary landscape and promote communal harmony through shared culinary experiences.
News Article:
Kolkata Celebrates Last Nawab of Awadh with Art and Food
Kolkata, November 20, 2025 – Kolkata will come alive with celebrations of Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, this month. Two events are planned: an art exhibition and a heritage food walk. These aim to explore the cultural connections between Lucknow and Kolkata and promote communal harmony.
The exhibition, “Shahrashob — Letters between Lucknow and Calcutta”, opens November 23rd at Studio Bari and runs until January 20th. Artist Soumyadeep Roy’s work draws on eight years of research into the links between the two cities, highlighting artistic exchanges, migrations, and personal stories from the era.
“The back and forth between the two cities led to the publication of several seminal works,” says Mr. Roy. “Then there were artists travelling from Calcutta/Santiniketan and working in Lucknow, like Lalit Mohan Sen and Asit Haldar — that’s another thing I am touching upon.”
Adding to the celebrations, a heritage food walk, “Biryani and Beyond,” will take place on November 29th in Kidderpore. Participants will sample traditional, lesser-known dishes while hearing stories of migration, culture, and cuisine. The event aims to showcase the area’s diverse culinary landscape and challenge misconceptions about Kidderpore.
“Our walk would contest the stereotypical notion of Kidderpore being a Muslim ghetto,” says Antara Mukherjee of Know Your Neighbour, the event organizer. “We would highlight varied eateries that challenge the politics of misrepresentation of the area’s social, cultural, and linguistic lineage, something that has been vibrantly co-existing from the end of the 19th century until today, reflecting the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb.”
First Piper 