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NDTV
15 hours ago
- NDTV
Lucknow Chosen As India's Candidate For UNESCO Gastronomic Creative City
Known as the "City of Nawabs," Lucknow has long been famous for its rich history, royal culture, and most importantly, its mouthwatering Awadhi cuisine. Now, this historic city is making a big move to put its culinary heritage on the global map by officially applying to join UNESCO's 'Creative Cities Network' (UCCN) under the category of Gastronomy. Established in 2004, UCCN celebrates cities that have shown exceptional creativity in culture, arts, and, in this case, food. Lucknow's unique Awadhi cuisine, with its slow-cooked kebabs, aromatic biryanis, and delightful sweets, perfectly fits the bill. According to Roshan Jacob, Lucknow's Divisional Commissioner, the city has been nominated by India for this prestigious tag, as per a report in the Hindustan Times. Now, the team is gathering more detailed information to submit by the end of June. If everything goes well, UNESCO experts might visit Lucknow soon to see the city's culinary culture firsthand. Mumbai-based consultant Abha Narain Lambah played a key role in putting together a detailed dossier about Lucknow's gastronomic heritage. The entire effort is closely monitored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. What Makes Lucknow's Food So Special? Lucknow's food identity is deeply rooted in its royal past, where Nawabs and their chefs perfected dishes that continue to wow food lovers today. While the city is famous as a paradise for meat lovers, it also serves up an array of vegetarian dishes and snacks that make it a well-rounded food capital. Some iconic names and dishes from Lucknow include: Tunday Kebabs: Arguably the crown jewel of Lucknow's non-veg cuisine, these melt-in-your-mouth minced meat kebabs are legendary. The recipe is a closely guarded secret, but the taste speaks for itself. Kakori Kebabs: Another delicacy, these are named after the town of Kakori but are inseparable from Lucknow's food scene. Awadhi Biryani: Unlike other versions, Awadhi biryani is subtle and aromatic, cooked with layers of marinated meat and fragrant rice. Chaat And Street Foods: From basket chaat to paani ke batashe (water-filled hollow puris), Lucknow's street food scene is a delight for vegetarians and spice lovers alike. Khasta, Kachauri, And Bajpai Ki Puri: These crispy snacks are perfect for teatime munching. Sweets: No visit to Lucknow is complete without indulging in motichur ke laddu, malai paan, jalebi, and imarti with rabri. The UP government's tourism and culture departments are actively promoting this culinary diversity. The aim is to showcase Lucknow as a city that not only leads in non-veg delights but also charms vegetarians with its unique street foods and sweets. Lucknow already attracts nearly 48 million tourists every year, many of whom come eager to explore the city's famed food courts and street stalls. Major events like the G20 Summit and the UP Investors Summit have given a global boost to the city, with international leaders enjoying its culinary richness. For the unversed, India already has five other cities - Chennai, Hyderabad (for Gastronomy), Varanasi, Jaipur, and Mumbai - in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Each has been chosen for their unique cultural contributions. Lucknow hopes to join this elite list soon.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Lucknow nominated as UNESCO 'City of Gastronomy'; set to join Hyderabad on global culinary map
Photo credit: AI LUCKNOW: The city of Nawabs, known for its sumptuous kebabs and royal culinary traditions, is now vying for global recognition. Lucknow has been officially nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a 'City of Gastronomy' a title currently held by only one other Indian city, Hyderabad. Confirming the development, Lucknow divisional commissioner Roshan Jacob said, 'We have submitted our nomination, and additional data will be sent by the end of June. Post that, Unesco may conduct a field visit to verify our claims. Lucknow's culinary culture is not just historic—it's a living tradition passed down over centuries.' The nomination, coordinated by the state's department of tourism and culture, highlights the city's rich Awadhi fare—iconic dishes like Tunday kebabs, galawati, nihari, biryani, khasta, kulfi, and jalebi that have drawn food lovers from across the globe. Heritage conservationist Abha Narain Lambah, appointed to prepare the Unesco dossier, noted, 'Lucknow's gastronomic heritage was enriched by the royal kitchens of Awadh and continues to thrive across communities—from Brahmins and Baniyas to Kayasthas, Khattris and working-class families. The city offers a diverse culinary ecosystem, from legendary kebabs to humble khasta and puri-sabzi.' 'Food Lucknow is a major food destination,' she added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wrinkles? No. Philips Garment Steamers Book Now Undo Special Secretary, Tourism, Eesha Priya, said the application is now under review by the Union Ministry of Culture. 'The blueprint prepared by Abha's team is detailed and data-backed. We're hopeful Lucknow will make the cut,' she said. Unesco's Creative Cities Network recognises cities with vibrant cultural sectors. Globally, cities like Alba (Italy), Arequipa (Peru), Bergen (Norway), Belem (Brazil), and Bendigo (Australia) are already part of the list under the gastronomy category. Experts say Lucknow offers a compelling case. 'The artistry in Awadhi cooking—from the dum pukht technique to refined spice layering—is unmatched. Lucknow isn't just about food, it's about storytelling through cuisine,' said Ahad Arshad, a local food chain operator. Culinary expert Adil Hussain added, 'Hyderabad may be known for its biryani and haleem, but Lucknow offers a deeper, more nuanced food journey—from Mughlai meats to street snacks. It's a complete sensory experience.' Officials point out that while the city is celebrated for its non-vegetarian delights, vegetarian and sweet offerings are just as noteworthy. 'Dishes like Bajpai ki Puri, Durga ke Khaste, Malai Paan, and Motichur ke Laddoo are integral to Lucknow's identity,' said an officer involved in the bid. With the final submission underway and Unesco assessment awaited, Lucknow could soon find itself on the world's gastronomic map—one kebab at a time.
Time Out
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
We checked into Punjab's first luxury palace hotel – here's what we thought
Around two hundred years ago, Ran Baas Patiala was the ladies' guest house of the Maharaja, occupying a wing of what was once Asia's largest royal residence, the Qila Mubarak. And only four years ago, it was in ruins, infested with rats and snakes and uninhabited for the past six decades. Enter 'hotel revolutionary' Priya Paul, who, along with conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, has dragged the once-endangered building out of disrepair with a gargantuan, visionary restoration project. Only open since January, the heritage hotel is already one of India's most sought-after stays, hosting Bollywood actors and prominent Indian designers. Now, Ran Baas The Palace is primed to welcome international travellers through its gates. I checked in and experienced a masterclass in heritage restoration – and a joyful celebration of Punjabi culture and heritage. These are my highlights. First impressions: A very royal welcome A labyrinthine street bazaar makes up the immediate surroundings of the Qila Mubarak fortress. The palace's walls loom above jewellery shops and hardware stores; some hotel terraces protrude over the shopfronts. Yet once you're through the huge wooden gates and have crossed the threshold into the central courtyard, all that external clamour is extinguished, replaced by soothing sitar music that plays in an everlasting loop in all outdoor areas (consider it the soundtrack to your stay). I'm told, later on, that the palace's walls are designed to absorb noise, so you're always in this vacuum of quiet, despite being just a few feet away from the cacophony of honking rickshaws and market sellers. But first, an exuberant welcome, with dhol drums and Punjabi dancing, followed by a welcome cocktail at sleek hotel bar The Patiala. It's here I get my first proper glimpse of Paul and Lambah's modern overhauls – Rajput arches, painted charcoal-black, frame the main bar; we work our way through a menu of specialty cocktails on plush pink armchairs under a tassled pink chandelier. It's gloriously indulgent and very, very easy to lose track of time. The rooms: Palatial suites, each its own treasure No two suites are the same at Ran Baas the Palace – their differing sizes and features, at one time, would depend on the status of the person living there – but each is extraordinary. On the upper end, there's the hexagonal Presidential Suite, white and royal blue with a large private terrace, and the Princess Suite, adorned from floor to ceiling with over 200 hand-painted murals in the style of Mughal miniatures. Rooms are themed around a royal gemstone, each with accents of topaz, pearl, coral or sapphire, a nod to the former occupants' vast jewel collection. I stayed in one of the Pearl Suites, a dizzyingly spacious cream-hued room of marble floors and ornate archways, complete with a freestanding tub and a mat for meditation. The suite was one of a handful surrounding a serene courtyard garden (with a resident bunny rabbit, of course); others might overlook the market or the central courtyard, or – most enviably of all – the stuccowork facade of the main palace and darbar hall, once of the most outstanding examples of Sikh architecture you can find. The rest: Outstandingly preserved heritage and the best of Punjabi hospitality On its own, Ran Baas is a cultural treasure trove. Take the Rang Mahal, with its mirrored Belgian glass ceilings, gilded arches and delicately crafted frescoes. Used for private dinners at night, during the day guests are free to visit and pore over the artworks covering its walls, some dating back 600 years. The Lassi Khana spa, formerly the royal kitchen, has a Mediterranean-style pool courtyard with one of the hotel's most arresting views: the fortress's weathered, garlic-shaped dome peering out over blush-pink walls spilling with bougainvillea. Much of the hotel's charm is in this playful harmony between heritage preservation, thoughtful restoration and contemporary, sometimes avant-garde, design. Alongside preserved artworks in halls and bedrooms, hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper is splashed across the staircase hall, while whimsical handblown chandeliers from local design studio Klove hang from above. Contrast these modern updates with the many skilful touch-ups of the palace's existing architecture – the slightly faded, surkhi-plastered entranceway, for example, or the suite's chinikhanas repurposed as alcoves – and you have a masterclass in honouring legacy with thoughtful reinvention. Guest experiences range from history tours and tandoor barbecues to cooking classes and sunset afternoon tea, accompanied by live classical music. Traditional thalis, with flavour-packed curries and rich dhals from eight different princely states, are served up in light-filled, equestrian-inspired restaurant Neel (don't miss the sage green and gold private dining room). Breakfast is a similar feast of Punjabi classics, and there are your benedicts and muesli bowls, for a milder start to the day. The people who keep this vast complex running, led by gregarious General Manager Deep Mohan Singh, are as warm and attentive as you'll find. The hotel, of course, forms only part of the entire Qila Mubarak fortress. The floral facade of the dilapidated Qila Androon, another of the complex's buildings, is astonishing; head inside and you'll find further mirrored halls and miniature frescoes, and an eternally-burning sacred flame. Inside the darbar hall is a prized collection of chariots, vintage cars, magnificent cutglass chandeliers and (sadly bubble-wrapped) life-sized royal portraits.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Renewed call to nominate Hyderabad heritage sites for UNESCO status
Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah has urged the Telangana government to revive the proposal for nominating Hyderabad's iconic heritage sites, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Golconda Fort, and Charminar, for UNESCO World Heritage status. Speaking at the centenary celebration of Art Deco architecture held at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Ms. Lambah recalled that a nomination had been submitted in 2010 but did not progress. 'This is the right time to take the proposal forward again,' she said from her own experience with the successful UNESCO inscription of Mumbai's Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles in 2018. That nomination, which took 14 years to come to fruition, included 94 buildings around Mumbai's Oval Maidan, showcasing the city's evolution through Victorian and Art Deco architectural styles. 'Mumbai became a global trading centre and undertook an ambitious urban planning effort that led to these architectural ensembles. The Art Deco buildings, blending Indian aesthetics with international influences, are a unique cultural expression that came to be known as Indo-Deco,' she explained. The event also spotlighted the city's own Art Deco legacy. Srinivas Murthy, curator of the event, revealed that out of the many Art Deco structures in the city, 148 prominent buildings have been identified, with documentation completed for 52 of them. 'We plan to finish documenting the rest soon and will release a book on Hyderabad's Art Deco architecture in September,' he said. He also noted that the main house of Raj Bhavan itself is an example of Art Deco design. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, who was present at the event, highlighted the importance of preserving architectural heritage. 'Art Deco embodies the emotional language of architecture. As the nation moves forward, conservation must become a collective effort, a people's movement.' He also called for more events to raise public awareness about the region's rich architectural history.
