The Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival (MSLF)

Launched in 2010, a celebration of the beautiful culture of Awadh, Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival (MSLF) started off as a Crafts Bazaar, and evolved into a kaleidoscope of culture and charm over the years. It is an open-to-all event that brings under one roof art, crafts, food and culture lovers from Lucknow and beyond.

The festival’s curation is led by a theme every year focusing on different aspects of this culturally diverse city, guiding the research, discussions, performances and exhibitions across the festival. The festival celebrates the pluralistic, inclusive and unique traditions of Lucknow.

Along with the theme, the festival has all the sights, sounds and experiences that you have come to love over the years. The Weaves and Crafts Bazaar showcases handcrafted products from over 100 artisans from all over the country. The heritage walks and tours explore the various popular and sometimes unknown facets of this beautiful city. The Literary Guftgu is a series of theme-based talks and discussions that serve to highlight the living heritage and culture of the city. The food stalls showcase the best culinary traditions of Lucknow and the Awadhi Home Cooked Food Festival is something that entices visitors in droves every year. And then there are the scintillating live performances, including the much-awaited Dawn concert every year, bringing in people from all walks of life, to share an experience as a community.

This 5-day community mela has grown into an all-encompassing experience over the years!

In Memory of Late Indira Mahindra

This Festival is dedicated to the memory of the late Indira Mahindra, whose contribution to the arts and culture of Lucknow has left an everlasting stamp on the city. Indira Mahindra was born in Allahabad but spent her childhood and majority of her adolescence in Lucknow. She attended Isabella Thoburn College, which she later joined as a faculty. She authored and published four books and also acted in the Bollywood film ‘Kaali Ghata’. She had a zest for life that was seen in all she did, whether it was for a large social initiative or a local group.

She is an inspiration to her children Anand, Radhika & Anuja and continues to be one for all of us today. The Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival is built upon the very principles that Indira Mahindra lived by - to bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate the rich culture of Lucknow. We are honoured to make the Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival a tribute to this vibrant woman.

About Mahindra

The Mahindra Group, over the years, through its products and services, a deep sense of corporate responsibility and programmes in cultural outreach, has enabled positive change in individuals and communities globally. Our  cultural outreach is about connecting with the communities we serve through specially created programmes in the space of Art and Culture.

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality and real estate.

The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.