THE AWADHI STYLE OF PAINTING

The Awadhi style of painting was marked by a tight organised construction, long flowing lines and contrast between vibrant and cool colours. The painters of Lucknow borrowed from the Mughal style.

Subsequently, with the increased presence of Europeans, they started following the European iconography of Tilly Kettle and Johann Zoffany. They started painting in a more naturalistic style while modifying traditional styles like the nim qalam.

The bright colours of the gouache also appealed to Lucknow artists. It helped them in producing the colourful effects of traditional miniatures without much effort.

Famous artists of the school include Mir Kalam Khan and Mihir Chand.

THE FISH INSIGNIA OF AWADH

Many of Lucknow's historic buildings are decorated with a twin fish motif. This insignia- the Mahi Maratib was one of the highest honours bestowed by the Mughal court on its allies. Nawab Sardar Jang (1708- 1754) of Awadh was one of the few recipients of this honour.

For the Nawabs, these fish represented auspiciousness, and are featured even today in an important legend of the city.

According to this legend, a pair of fish leapt into the lap of Nawab Saadat Khan, while he was crossing a river on his way to Lucknow. Viewing this as a good omen, it is said that the First Nawab featured the fish on the coat of arms for his new royal state of Awadh.

During the reign of Wajid Ali Shah, (1847 -1856) the fish transformed into mermaids.

Today, the twin fish have been incorporated into the emblem of the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

THE MANGOES OF LUCKNOW

Situated close to Malihabad, summers in Lucknow mean an influx of freshly plucked mangoes. Interestingly, the most famous mango of Malihabad, the Dussehri, has its roots in Kakori-quite literally!

It is said that in a small village named Dussehri, there stands a mango tree that was once owned by the Nawabs. From here began the sweet journey of this mango!

Other popular varieties of mango- chausa and langda also flood Lucknow during the hot summers.

In and around Lucknow, these mangoes are known by their poetic names- Shams-ul-asmar, husnara, mehr-ul-asmar, and samar bahisht.

LAKHAURI BRICKS

While walking around the city, you might see monuments constructed with thin red bricks.

Known as the Lakhauri bricks, these bricks were tiny and had to be produced in lakhs, hence the name - Lakhauri.

Though first introduced by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the Nawabs of Lucknow used Lakhauri bricks abundantly in this region. Given their size, they could be easily used to create arches, columns and other embellishments.

AN ECO-FRIENDLY IMAMBARA

Did you know that Nawabs built the Bara Imambara as an eco-friendly building long before the term became fashionable? Its central hall has a vault that provides a mechanism for ventilation.

Further, it has a double wall with a staircase in the middle. The ventilation in the staircase allows the air to cool before it reaches the inner wall.

Even the material used for its construction, the Lakhauri brick and the mortar (masala) made from Urad dal, chuna, surkhi, sheera and choone ka paani were all derived from nature.