The birthday celebration of the man who introduced our favourite potato in Kolkata’s biryani, along with establishing the tailoring hub and kite-making industry in Metiabruz, was a vibrant affair at Oudh 1590’s revamped Deshapriya Park branch on July 31. The event was filled with food, music, dance and engaging conversation — reflecting the rich legacy left behind by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
Speaking about the nawab’s influence on Bengal, his great-great-grandson Shahanshah Mirza said, “Wajid Ali Shah did more than just introduce the potato into biryani. When he came to Kolkata, he brought Awadhi cuisine with him, which includes everything from galawati kebabs to nihari. Beyond food, he also introduced the tailoring hub in Metiabruz, the kite-flying culture, and more. Today, Metiabruz is the heart of Bengal’s kite-making industry, with kites being dispatched across India. The garment industry here is also thriving, with many brands sourcing their cloth from this area.”
Shahanshah Mirza in conversation with (right) professor Saroofa Razeq
The event also saw Shahanshah Mirza in conversation with Saroofa Razeq, senior professor at Aliah University. The discussion began with a brief history of Awadh, detailing its establishment and how it flourished under various nawabs. Then, they reminisced about Nawab Wajid Ali Shah’s arrival in Bengal, reflecting on the socio-economic and political conditions of the time and how he was received and integrated into Bengali culture.
Saroofa Razeq highlighted the transformation of Metiabruz from a sleepy suburb to a vibrant cultural hub — often referred to as Mini Lucknow. She discussed how the Nawab’s influence extended to art forms such as music and dance and how his legacy reshaped perceptions of history and art among students. “It is crucial for history students to understand Nawab Wajid Ali Shah’s contributions to fully grasp Kolkata’s historical narrative. In his time, the area where he lived was not Calcutta but a neighbouring region, where he settled and brought about significant development,” she said.
Tanni Chaudhuri and Bhuvnyu Ghoshal put up a soulful performance
The Nawab’s 202nd birthday celebrations also marked the reopening of Oudh 1590’s revamped Deshapriya Park branch. The evening commenced with a cake-cutting ceremony attended by Shahanshah Mirza, Shiladitya Chaudhury, co-founder of Oudh 1590, Nicolas Facino, director, Alliance Française du Bengale, YU Xiong, deputy consul general, China, and Farah Khan, wife of MP Nadimul Haque. The event also featured a soulful Kathak performance by Tanni Chaudhuri and a classical rendition by Bhuvnyu Ghoshal, who performed a popular thumri, Baabul Mora Naihar Chhuto Hi Jaae.
Chaudhury, co-founder of Oudh 1590, said, “We take pride in celebrating the legacy of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, a figure of immense cultural significance, whose name has become synonymous with the Kolkata-style biryani. This celebration is an opportunity for us to relive the grandeur of the Nawab’s era and honour his royal cultural heritage that continues to inspire us.”
The celebrations concluded with some delectable Awadhi food from Oudh 1590’s kitchen.
