India, Jan. 28 -- The 17th edition of the five-day Sanatkada Lucknow Festival is a vibrant mix of culture, food, shopping, demonstrations, and tours. Starting from January 30, this year's theme, Raabta Lucknow Calcutta Ka, explores the deep cultural links between the two cities, especially following the exile of the last king of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah, to Matiaburj in present-day Kolkata. The craft bazaar will be held at Safed Baradari, lectures at the Amir-ud-Daulah Library, and the food bazaar and cultural activities at the Raja Ram Pal Singh Park-all venues adjacent to each other. "In this edition, most musical concerts have a Bengal connection, but the performances will be universal, mixing Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu. This showcases how closely the two cities are linked. Wajid Ali Shah's great-great-granddaughter, Manzilat Fatima, is also attending and will prepare Mutton Razala for our home-cooked food festival," says organiser Madhvi Kuckreja. Beyond the weaves bazaar, another highlight will be craft demonstrations. "We have curated 20 outside experiences, which include eight theme walks, kasba visits with luncheon experiences, and dinners at prominent houses. The most awaited event will be the Awadh Home-Cooked Festival, held on Sunday afternoon," adds team member Naghma Parveen....