LUCKNOW

A small bundle was handed over to Dad at the Army Hospital at Cantt.
Yes that was me in his strong sturdy hands,
His princess, 'The Nawabzaadi',born in the capital of Awadh,
Yes! Lucknow is that great land of my birth.

The land of the Nawaabs,
Of biriyanis and Kababs,
Sheermaals and sheerkhurmas,
Tunde ke kababs and kormas.

Prakash ki kulfi,
The rose smelling rewdis,
Famous chat- pati basket chat,
So many other knick knacks.

Mohan market at Aminabad,
Chikankari at Najibabad,
The 'Mandi' at Kaisarbagh,
The ever buzzing Charbagh.

Mahanagar and Nishatgunj,
Lovers lane at Hazratgunj,
Alambagh and Shringarnagar,
Aligunj and Niralanagar.

Niralanagar, the world's charming place,
Always filled me with joy and solace,
Home of my Mom's Maa,
Of cousins, mamis and mamas.

For picnics we rushed off to the zoo,
I still love it, am telling you.
The Chhota and Bada Imambaras,
And the thrilling Bhool Bhoolaiyya.

Lamartinere and Dilkhusha,
Chhattar Manzil and Rumi Darwaza,
The Begum Hazrat Mahal Park,
Where many a politician did make their mark.

Lucknow University,
A seat of student politics,
Bhatkhande music college,
So abundant with musical knowledge.

About Lucknow I can go on writing,
Raving and ranting,
Before I forget let me mention,
This is where I completed my school education.

St. Mary's did groom me,
Prepared me for a vast sea,
To swim it on my own,
From a mere stone, it is here like a diamond I shone.

It is all a feeling of great nostalgia,
The old world charm of Vidyant and Lalbagh Durga Pujas,
The calm flowing Gomti,
Hanuman setu and the temple of Hanuman ji.

Sawan and Mankamneshwar,
Saw many a dreams bud and flower,
The Jama Masjid and Sheeshe wali Masjid
All woven into one fabric.

The weddings at Baradari still mesmerize,
Visit my dreams and hypnotise,
Drape yourself in a chikan saree and you will know,
Why Lucknow is special so!

Lucknow is draped in a fabric of love and Divinity,
Following the religion of Humanity,
Where a Cathedral, temples and mosques sit together,
Brotherhood and love, all thrive here.

Given a chance, I will go running back to Lucknow,
Never ever to leave it and go,
But the distance makes my love grow more strong,
My dear Lucknow! To you I will always belong.

©®Madhumita