Lucknow as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy: More Than Just Food, A Tool for Soft Power

 

Lucknow as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy: More Than Just Food, A Tool for Soft Power

Relevance: GS Paper I (Indian Culture - Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, Architecture), GS Paper II (International Relations - Soft Power), GS Paper III (Economy - Tourism, Sustainable Development)

The recent announcement declaring Lucknow a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is a significant development that goes far beyond a mere culinary accolade. For UPSC aspirants, this is a potent case study interlinking culture, diplomacy, and economic development.

Deconstructing the Recognition: What does it mean?

UNESCO's Creative Cities Network (UCCN) aims to promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. Lucknow's inclusion in the 'Gastronomy' category signifies:

1. Global Recognition of Intangible Cultural Heritage: It's not just about the food on the plate, but the "centuries-old Awadhi cuisine, living food traditions and inclusive cultural heritage." This includes:

   • Dum Pukht and Dastarkhwan: The slow-cooking technique (Dum) and the elaborate ceremonial spread (Dastarkhwan) are recognized as unique cultural practices.

   • A Culinary Synthesis: Awadhi cuisine is a testament to India's syncretic culture, blending Mughal, Persian, and local influences. This makes it a perfect symbol of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (composite culture).

   • Living Traditions: The recognition emphasizes that this heritage is not frozen in time but is a living, evolving tradition practiced in homes and restaurants today.

2. A Tool for Cultural Diplomacy (Soft Power): As the government noted, this shows how "food heritage can become a symbol of cultural diplomacy."

   • Brand India: When the Prime Minister invites the world to visit Lucknow, he is using its cuisine as a soft power tool to enhance India's global cultural footprint.

   • Diplomatic Engagement: Food becomes a medium for people-to-people connections, fostering better international relations. Think of it as India's answer to Italian pasta or Japanese sushi on the world's cultural map.

Linking to the UPSC Syllabus

GS Paper I: Indian Culture

• Salient aspects of Art Forms: Culinary arts are a crucial, yet often overlooked, art form. This recognition elevates food to the same platform as classical music, dance, or architecture.

• Historical Linkages: The evolution of Awadhi cuisine is deeply intertwined with the history of the Nawabs of Awadh, making it a rich area for understanding cultural history.

GS Paper II: Governance & International Relations

• Soft Power: This is a textbook example of how a country can leverage its cultural assets to build influence and a positive global image.

• Role of International Organizations: Understanding UNESCO's mandate and its various designations (World Heritage Sites, Creative Cities, Intangible Cultural Heritage) is crucial.

GS Paper III: Economic Development

• Sustainable Tourism: The key word is sustainable. This recognition can boost tourism but with a focus on preserving the authenticity of the cuisine and benefiting local communities, not just promoting mass tourism.

• Livelihood Generation: It can lead to the creation of new jobs—chefs, food guides, hospitality staff, local producers, and artisans involved in the culinary ecosystem.

• Promotion of MSMEs: It provides a global platform for local food entrepreneurs, street vendors (e.g., for Tunday Kebabs), and handicrafts associated with dining.

Potential Challenges & A Balanced View

A good aspirant must also consider the flip side:

• Commodification vs. Preservation: There is a risk of the cuisine becoming commercialized and losing its authentic essence to cater to tourist palates.

• Inclusive Growth: Ensuring that the economic benefits percolate down to the local street vendors and small-scale artisans, and not just to large hotel chains.

• Infrastructure: The city must develop adequate infrastructure (waste management, sanitation, transportation) to handle a potential influx of tourists without degrading the urban environment.

Sample Questions for Practice

Prelims Pointer:

Q. The city of Lucknow was recently included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network under which of the following categories?

(a) City of Music

(b) City of Literature

(c) City of Gastronomy

(d) City of Crafts and Folk Art

Answer: (c)

Mains Question (GS I):

Q. Indian cuisine is a reflection of its diverse and syncretic culture. Elucidate with special reference to the features of Awadhi cuisine, recently in the news for its UNESCO recognition.

(Answer Framework):

• Introduction on India's culinary diversity.

• Discuss the historical synthesis in Awadhi cuisine (Persian, Mughal, local influences).

• Highlight specific features: Cooking techniques (Dum), key dishes (Kebabs, Biryani, Korma), and the culture of Dastarkhwan.

• Link it to the composite culture (Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb) of Lucknow.

• Conclude by linking this cultural heritage to its recent global recognition.

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Conclusion for Aspirants:

The UNESCO tag for Lucknow is a multidimensional topic. It beautifully connects the cultural heritage of GS Paper I with the soft power diplomacy of GS Paper II and the sustainable economic development of GS Paper III. Use this as a contemporary example to enrich your answers and demonstrate a holistic understanding of the syllabus.