Carrying a rich legacy of 14 years forward into a future that is culturally aware, that has a puissant hold on its traditional roots and yet progressive and moving on ahead as times get advanced, the celebrated Sanatkada Festival is back and in all glory! A resplendent celebration of art, music, theatre, literature, dance, and cuisine, in a grandeur and aberrance only known to Awadh, this fest is like a beautiful journey.

This will be the 14th edition of Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival (MSLF), taking place at the city of Nawab's heritage location Qaiserbagh, from February 3-7.

Exploring the Lakhnavi culture intricately, this year the grand fest is diving deep into the rich dance and musical traditions of Awadh, a land that has engendered innumerable artistes, patrons, and sangeet maestros. Besides, the city has given birth to renowned classical styles of music like Khayaal and Thumri, where Kathak gharanas evolved and flourished, where traditional folk storytelling and singing form Soz-Khwani found its roots, and with deep legacies of Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar, and Ghazals. Lucknow has produced a stream of art and culture that holds vital value even today.

This year, the theme 'Raqs – o – Mausiqui' explores the aforementioned, Lucknow's artistic heritage, embedded music and dance traditions and how they entwine with society and culture.

"From Qawwali at dargahs, marsiya khwani in imambadas, bhajans in temples, mujras & musical baithaks in mansions and halls of power, from grand musical operas at the parikhana, to the rich folk music reverberating through the countryside, the story of Awadh is inseparable from the story of its Raqs – o - Mausiqui," the creators of MSLF write.

Whether its witnessing a brilliant tabla solo by Ustad Ilmas Hussain Khan, or watching the musical Naghmaat E Akhtari along with exploring the Weaves & Crafts Bazaar, on the opening day (February 3), or listening to insightful talks and lectures by distinguished guests and Sufiyana qawwali by Haider Buksh Warsi on day 2, the event is filled with a plethora of interesting activities.

The itinerary of days 3-5 engulf from a calligraphy workshop, Kathak ki Katha, sarod recital, plays, renditions, to food walks, film screenings, concerts, vocal recitals, food walks and interesting conversations. Also in its lap, the festival incorporates numerous performances of indigenous musical and dance forms, an experiential exhibition, a row of panel discussions, art installations, and storytelling sessions.

Read the detailed schedule here.

At merely ₹150, book passes for all five days. Or, go for ₹40 per day. It's pretty simple, really — there would be food, dance, theatre, intellectual conversations, music, etc, aand the entry is cheap! So, see you there?

When: February 3-7

Where: Baradari, Qaiserbagh