Heart of city that set many hearts aflutter

Lucknow: Once a restricted area meant only for British who would walk hand-in-hand with a partner, Hazratganj evolved over the years into a much-revered meeting spot for lovebirds. Revisiting this unique quality of Ganj, the second day of the Mahindra Sanatkada Festival included a walk taking visitors from across the country around iconic spots in Hazratganj, etched deeply in the memories of Lucknowites.The walk, led by Ansaf, started from Sibtainabad Imambara, passed through crowded by-lanes till Atal Chowk and retreated via the famous Love Lane. Visitors were introduced to spots where love stories brewed and came to fruition, including eateries Royal Café, Choudhary Shakes and Kwality restaurant. “As we interviewed couples, we noticed a pattern—almost everyone said their love stories blossomed in the lanes of Hazratganj or in its cozy eateries and cinema halls,” said Alisha Asif, coordinator of the festival.Lovers gave lane nameAfter the annexation of Awadh in 1856, when the British tightened their grip over the region, Hazratganj came to be the hotspot of European Renaissance. It became a prominent place where only British and their families and friends were allowed. The folklore claims lanes of Hazratganj became famous, where British would walk hand-in-hand and romance openly. Famous pavements where couples strolled leisurely came to be known as Love Lane. The culture continued through post-Independence India. From elite to working-class men and women and teenagers, participants recounted how their love stories had one common binding factor—the bylanes of Hazratganj and its eateries, cinema halls, and shopping avenues. It became one of those spots where students from iconic boys-only and girls-only schools would sneak out and meet each other. With many coaching centres in the vicinity, teenagers would bunk classes and make an evening out of it. For working professionals, the marketplace offered a fresh whiff of fresh air and a perfect setting for a relaxed Shukla chaat or Choudhary shakes date. For those from yesteryears, it was a window to the past and the romance of the ripe age goneby. Not surprisingly, it is one common place that inadvertently kept cropping in stories of over 90 couples compiled into five movies by the Sanatkada Trust. “If Choudhary shakes were a hit among kids and teenagers, Kwality restaurant was the preferred spot for matchmaking. And noting this trend, cafes came first to Hazratganj before spreading out to the other parts of the city,” said Ansaf.First of many storiesFor 32-year-old Aastha Sinha, Saturday’s walk was a stroll down the memory lane. I came for the walk only out of curiosity to know how many love stories brewed here. The first time I came here was with my then-boyfriend and we had the same shake at the same spot,” she said.
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