Lucknow, the city of nazakat, tehzeeb, and timeless poetry, donned its literary best as it played host to Kavishala Aaghaaz — a grand celebration of literature, culture, and heritage. In the heart of this culturally rich city, authors, poets, artists, and thinkers gathered for a day where ideas sparkled, verses flowed, and stories were celebrated.
The event was nothing short of a cultural renaissance — vibrant, thought-provoking, and deeply rooted in the ethos of Nawabi Lucknow. Here’s a glimpse into the conversations that moved hearts and minds:
She the Leader: Stories that Inspired a Generation
Speakers: Jaya Tiwari, Nandini Sharma, Rakhi Kishore
Three incredible women. Three powerful journeys. This session was a celebration of resilience and leadership. The speakers shared their paths — marked by struggle, strength, and transformation — and how they’ve each played a role in shaping social change in Lucknow. The stories were raw, real, and incredibly uplifting.
Book Launch – Gulabi Khanjar: Where History Meets Poetry
Speakers: Dilip Pandey, Chanchal Sharma
The unveiling of Gulabi Khanjar wasn’t just a book launch — it was a moment of literary significance. The authors spoke about the book’s socio-historical undertones, weaving past with present, and how a new wave of literature is emerging from the heart of Lucknow.
Chakallas-e-Lucknow: A Love Letter to the City
Speakers: RJ Prateek, Himanshu Bajpai
This nostalgic session painted a living portrait of Lucknow — its gullies, lingo, characters, and soul. It was less of a talk and more of a time travel, transporting audiences into the city’s past while reflecting on how it’s embracing the new with open arms.
Kahani ‘Content’ Ki: The Digital Canvas
Speakers: Akhilesh Mishra, RJ Prateek
In today’s viral world, content is king — and this session nailed the message. The speakers explored how creators from Lucknow are carving a name for themselves on national and global stages, armed with nothing but creativity and courage. A masterclass on how storytelling evolves in the digital age.
Behind the Curtain: Theatre, Grit, and Glory
Speakers: Anil Rastogi, Manoj Rajan Tripathi
Every standing ovation has a story behind the scenes — and this session lifted that curtain. From backstage drama to the evolution of Lucknow’s theatre and film circuit, the speakers took the audience on a journey through lights, shadows, and the raw emotion of performing arts.
Kavi Sammelan: Where Poetry Danced with Emotions
Poets: Pankaj Prasun, Shahbaz Talib, Abhishreshtha T, Shikha Srivastav
The evening’s crescendo came in the form of a soulful Kavi Sammelan — a poetic celebration where verses touched upon love, longing, satire, and society. The audience was mesmerized, the air electric with rhyme and rhythm.
Memorable Verses:
“Not just blood, even spit here is colorful,
This is the city of Lucknow, where every alley has its own hue.” — Pankaj Prasun
“We are lost in the memories of our beloved,
While they seem lost in someone else’s thoughts.” — Malvika Hariom
“Love itself is the final dose for this disease.” — Shahbaz Talib
“The soil of my heart turned saffron once again.” — Shikha Srivastav
These weren’t just poems — they were echoes of emotions that lingered long after the applause faded.
More Than Just an Event — A Cultural Awakening
In collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Language Institute, Kavishala Aaghaaz was a movement — one that stitched together the city’s past, present, and future through the thread of language, literature, and local pride.
Words from the Visionary
Ankur Mishra, Founder of Kavishala, summed up the spirit of the festival beautifully:
“Understanding and preserving the depth of Lucknow’s composite culture and literary richness is of utmost importance to us. We envision this platform as an open space for every creator and thinker who wishes to enrich society with their words.”
Kavishala Aaghaaz wasn’t just a literary gathering — it was Lucknow’s heart beating in verse. A celebration where stories met souls, and tradition shook hands with modernity. As the lights dimmed and the echoes of poetry faded into the evening sky, one thing was clear: Lucknow’s literary flame is burning brighter than ever.
