Lucknow – For those fascinated by rare glimpses into the world’s defining historical moments, Kokoro Art Gallery in Lucknow has opened its doors to Dastavez – an exhibition of rare and historic newspapers from India and abroad. Inaugurated on Friday by Navneet Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati, Government of India, the exhibition features the prized collection of Suboor Usmani (IRS), who has meticulously gathered these papers over decades. The exhibition is curated by Vandana Sehgal.
Vandana Sehgal remarked that newspapers, since their invention, have served as a living record of humanity—chronicling political upheavals, natural disasters, scientific breakthroughs, cultural milestones, and more. Headlines, she noted, not only inform but also shape public perception, influence discourse, and ultimately form part of collective historical memory.
Usmani, who began collecting newspapers in childhood, recalled that his very first preserved paper was from 1989, reporting the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, alongside the publication of his first letter to the editor at the age of 10. Over the years, his passion expanded into a treasure trove of historic prints sourced from his father, flea markets, gifts, and online platforms.
The exhibition showcases 56 rare newspapers covering landmark events—from wars, revolutions, and the end of colonialism to iconic achievements in science, exploration, sports, and culture. Visitors can revisit moments like the sinking of the Titanic, the Hiroshima bombing, the first moon landing, and India’s independence—presented exactly as reported at the time, without the filter of hindsight.
Accompanying the displays are rare photographs of freedom fighters Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajendra Nath Lahiri, Roshan Singh, and Ashfaqulla Khan, commemorating the centenary of the Kakori Train Action. On August 9, the exhibition will host Dastaan-e-Sarfaroshi, a special storytelling session by Himanshu Bajpai, marking the historic 1925–2025 centenary.
Renowned writer Javed Akhtar, in a message to the organisers, congratulated them, noting that such exhibitions help the public understand journalism’s long and evolving journey. Exhibition coordinator Bhupendra Kumar Asthana and artist Dheeraj Yadav have ensured that the presentation reflects both aesthetic appeal and historical gravity.
The exhibition will remain open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. until August 12, offering a rare chance to inhale the scent of history—printed on the very pages that first told the world its own story.
