THE LOST "TEHZEEB" OF LUCKNOW

                         THE LOST TEHZEEB OF LUCKOW

Lucknow or Awadh ( previously known as Lakhshmanpuri ) is a city which is known for its Nawabs, Cuisine, Chikankari ( exquisite shadow-work on fine muslin cloth ), and especially ‘ADAB' and ‘TEHZEEB’ (manners and hospitality). Its history was shaped by the Mughals and Britishers. The Lucknow we all witness today is the modern Lucknow, which has lost its essence and beauty. Lucknow is not only about ‘tehzeeb’. It is way more than that. And tehzeeb is not only constrained to the culture of ‘pehle aap’ or ‘you first’. The history of Lucknow dates back to the age of Ramayana. This city was given as a gift by Lord Rama to his younger brother Lakshman. There is also a place named Lakshman Teela where Lord Lakshman stayed when he was in Lucknow. It was firstly called Lakhshmanpuri and later on, Lakhanpuri and at last it was named as Lakhnau.

The heritage of Lucknow is shaped by both Mughal emperors and the Brits. The old Lucknow is a masterpiece of the emperor Asaf-Ud-Dowlah. He built the famous Bhool Bhulaiya or Bara Imambara. He also built Chota Imambara and the Roomi Darwaza. These places are a true epitome of the culture of Lucknow. They are filled with mysteries, boldness, tehzeeb and pride.It was in the period of Mughals, Lakhsman teela was demolished and mughal emperor Aurangzeb built  a mosque named Teele wali Masjid.

 In the present time, one can easily live in the past when a person visits these monuments which helps one to witness the history of Awadh. The culture of Lucknow used to be very rich. It was famous for its grand events which used to be very regal and royal. The Chowk in Old Lucknow was the best place to find exquisite dancers and performers. Even though the women here were prostitutes, they were full of grace,adab as well the tehzeeb. Now, these alleys are ruled by food and shops. The Chowk is the best place to find the best chikankari and it is one of the main manufacturers of chikan. 

Today, when one visits Lucknow, they will find this city covered under the blanket of modernity. Modernism is never an issue. The main problem is that when we become modern, we often end up neglecting our ethos and culture. The heritage of Lucknow is so rich that it does not need to undergo any change. But the people of Lucknow are stubborn when it comes to becoming modern. Change is not a bad thing until and unless we stay connected to our roots. We may be connected to our roots, norms and  culture but we all lack the essence of our infamous tehzeeb. Tehzeeb is the ideal for all of us living in Awadh. Tehzeeb is not completely lost as it is the soul of Lucknow, it is just hidden under the blanket of modernity. All one needs to do is revive the spirit of Awadh with small gestures. The hospitality of the people here is the best one could ever feel. Even a rickshawala will refer to you as ‘aap’. We are Awadhi and we feel proud to present our culture of ‘tehzeeb’ worldwide. It may be lost but it is  present too.  

The ‘LOST TEHZEEB’ here, refers to the lost culture and hospitality and etiquettes  of Awadh. If one tries to connect with the old Lucknow, it is very difficult. The streets of all Lucknow are covered with urine and tobacco stains. The old Awadh used to be very clean and green. The trees in Lucknow are now replaced by metro trains and their stations. The dialect of Awadh has also evolved. It is now very lucid and vulnerable. The words such as ‘aap’, ‘haanji’ are replaced by ‘tu’, ‘yaar’ and ‘abe’. The language is now filled with slangs and abusive words. The food has also evolved just like Kebabs which are famous indeed, but the taste and hygiene has been lost. Chikankari has lost its value too and people find chikan clothing very expensive and unnecessary. Lucknow is also referred to as the ‘city of nawabs’ but Nawabs no longer exist here. Nawabs were not only referred as royals but also to the person who had richness in his lifestyle and tehzeeb. 

Yogesh Praveen, an author and a poet who was recently awarded with Padmashree, is known as the ‘Living Legend of Lucknow’ because he is the man who had unveiled the old Lucknow again in his poetry and novels. One of the famous quote of Yogesh Praveen on the history and culture of Awadh is:

Lucknow hai toh mahez gumbad-o minar nahi

Sirf ek shehar nahi, kucha-o bazar nahi

Iski aanchal mein mohabbat ke phool khilte hain

Iski galiyon mein farishton ke pate milte hain

The older generation of lucknow is more associated with the culture and heritage of Lucknow but the new generation fails to understand the essence of old Lucknow. The etiquettes and lifestyle of a true lucknawi might leave the people spellbound. But it is very disheartening to see the essence of Lucknow fading away. The people are yet unknown to what they are losing or ignoring.Lucknow is the perfect confluence of culture and history and it is so rich here that everyone must hold on to that. The ‘lost tehzeeb’ must be acquired again and in order to keep the spirit of Lucknow alive. It is the identity of the city which will fade away in the light of modernity.Lucknow is the city of tehzeeb and adab and it must remain so.It is very important that the history of Lucknow must be revisited again through literature or art or any other source. There is nothing worse than losing our own culture and ethos. Our norms and culture are our guiding star and we will be left in a very awry situation if something happens. The lost culture must be found again before it's too late.