Aaina-e-Lucknow

The 'Aaina-e-Lucknow' is written in the Hindustani dialect which was commonly spoken in Lucknow until the fifth and sixth decades of the previous century. This language was crafted on the foundation of colloquial speech and later evolved into a refined cultural language. In it one could perceive the essence of the Ganga-Jamuni culture and the vibrancy of Awadh. Its nurturing took place under the gentle shadows of Lucknow's shared traditional canopy and during the reign of the last dignified ruler of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah its beauty reached its zenith. Lucknow is that city where 'Walecome Assalam' is not just a religious greeting but an embodiment of secularism. 'Adaab Arz' is an Islamic salutation in the Urdu language the tradition of which was initiated by the last ruler of Awadh himself. It was during his era of governance that the preference for culture began and the tradition of speaking not.