Cultural amnesia threatens Lko’s identity: Prof Nadeem | Lucknow News
Lucknow: Cultural amnesia may rob a city like Lucknow of its character, which would be tragic. This was said by renowned social scientist Prof Nadeem Hasnain during a panel discussion on ‘From Palaces to People: Unravelling the Nawabi Literature of Awadh’, held at Awadh Girls Degree College on Saturday.“Youngsters need nostalgia; it is important as it fosters a sense of personal continuity, strengthens social connections, boosts well-being, enhances creativity, and provides a sense of meaning and purpose, helping us navigate the present and future by connecting us to our authentic selves and values,” said Hasnain. The panel discussion, moderated by literary critic Kanak Rekha Chauhan, aimed to trace Nawabi literature’s journey from the grandeur of Awadh’s courts to its presence in the everyday life of its people, highlighting how these stories continue to define Lucknow’s unique spirit and identity. Chief guest of the event, INTACH New Delhi chairman Ashok Singh Thakur, emphasised the vital role of heritage in shaping Awadh’s identity. He reaffirmed INTACH’s commitment to spearheading heritage preservation amid rapid modernisation. Dastango Himanshu Bajpai highlighted that Nawabi literature matters today because it reminds us that culture is never just decoration; it is how people made sense of love, loss, power, and change. Meanwhile, AGDC manager/secretary Prof. Nishi Pandey encouraged students to look beyond textbooks and explore Awadh’s cultural and literary legacy, while AGDC principal Prof. Bina Rai stressed the importance of nurturing pride in one’s roots.
