Lucknow: Filmmaker and environmental storyteller Deepika Chaturvedi shared profound insights into the cultural, ecological and emotional significance of the Gomti River during an engaging session titled ‘Gomti Samvad’. Addressing the audience, she spoke about the widespread lack of awareness surrounding the river and the deeper recognition it deserves in public consciousness.
Responding to a frequently asked question on why the Gomti River became the central focus of her work, Chaturvedi clarified that it was not a deliberate or calculated choice. She recalled making her documentary “Gomti Udgam” in April 2018, which explored the origin of the 960-kilometre-long river. The film was later launched at Metaphor in 2018, marking a significant moment in her journey of documenting the river’s story.
Chaturvedi also reflected on the padyatra undertaken during May–June 2018, when people from diverse backgrounds came together to clean and care for the river. She noted that participants worked selflessly, rising above differences of caste and religion, united by a shared purpose and consistent, honest efforts toward restoring the river’s clarity and dignity.
Describing how communities relate to the Gomti, she said the river is viewed not merely as a water body but as a living presence. “For people, the Gomti is a character — a living truth that divides the city of Lucknow into two halves,” she remarked, underscoring its emotional and cultural resonance.
Towards the conclusion of the session, Chaturvedi shared her favourite spots along the Gomti, ranging from the newly developed Gomti Riverfront to the older, historic stretches of Lucknow, reflecting the river’s journey through both modern and traditional landscapes.
The session offered a reflective and heartfelt perspective on the Gomti, reinforcing the need to reconnect with rivers as living entities central to a city’s identity and collective memory.
