Lucknow: In a vibrant celebration of linguistic heritage, the ‘Parpanchu’ Awadhi Symposium, organized by Lucknow Connection Worldwide (LCWW), brought together cultural stalwarts, poets, academicians, and enthusiasts to reaffirm their commitment to the preservation and promotion of the Awadhi language and culture. Held at Kala Srot Art Gallery, the event served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and artistic expression centered around Awadhi — one of the most cherished folk languages of northern India.
With over 72,000 members globally, LCWW — a thriving Facebook community — has become a key advocate for cultural continuity and grassroots-level awareness of linguistic diversity.
The symposium began with a heartfelt welcome by Mentor Prof. (Dr.) Shobha Bajpai, who underlined the growing relevance of mother tongues in today’s society. “Languages serve as a bridge between literature and culture. There is a renewed surge of awareness and respect towards our mother tongue in society,” she emphasized, setting the tone for the discussions ahead.
Chief Guest Dr. Ravi Bhatt delved into the deeper significance of folk languages. “Rich folk languages like Awadhi are not merely a means of expression; they are the carriers of our civilization, memory, and cultural soul. Preserving them is as crucial as keeping our cultural identity alive,” he said, echoing a sentiment that resonated with the gathering.
LCWW President Pradeep Sarang inspired the audience with his powerful assertion, “A language lives as long as it is spoken. Awadhi is our identity, and it should be presented with pride.”
Senior Admin Anil Shukla, joining virtually from Canada, emphasized the global mission of the group. “Our efforts are not just about preserving a language; in this era of modernity, we strive to cherish and advance the heritage, culture, literature, and unique character of our traditions. Our goal is to build a society that takes pride in its roots.”
Joining from Saudi Arabia, Group Admin Shoaib Quraisi stressed the importance of pride in linguistic heritage. “Awadhi is the true identity of Awadh. It is the responsibility of our new generation to not only embrace global progress but also to internalize their mother tongue and cultural heritage. Speaking in Awadhi is a matter of pride.”
Renowned senior journalist and celebrated Awadhi writer Nagendra Bahadur Singh Chauhan, who anchored the event, praised the proactive role of youth in linguistic revival. “The youth are stepping forward for the preservation and promotion of Awadhi language, literature, and culture. In this era of AI, young people are eager to listen to and speak Awadhi,” he said. Chauhan also highlighted government initiatives, including the introduction of Awadhi diploma and degree courses in several Uttar Pradesh universities, and the inclusion of Awadhi in legislative discussions, terming them promising signs for the language’s future.
The symposium reached an emotional and artistic high as celebrated poets took the stage to recite soul-stirring Awadhi verses. Contributors included Himanshu Srivastava (All India Radio), Sandeep Anuragi, Gangaprasad Sharma ‘Gunshikhar’, Premkant Tiwari, Chetaram Agyani, Ajay Pradhan, Pradeep Tiwari ‘Dhaval’, Pappu Awasthi, Ravi Awasthi, Pradeep Mahajan, Kiran Pandey, Neerja Shukla, Puneeta Awasthi, and journalist Aditya Shukl ‘Banjara’. Each poet’s rendition reflected deep cultural pride and emotional connection to their linguistic roots.
The event concluded with a shared resolve to not only preserve Awadhi but to expand its influence globally — a vision LCWW continues to actively pursue. The ‘Parpanchu’ Symposium stood as a testament to the idea that languages are living legacies — sustained by love, pride, and continuous use.
