LUCKNOW, Jan. 4 -- Sanatkada Lucknow Festival (MSLF) in collaboration with Lucknow Bioscope hosted a curtain raiser for the 17th edition of MSLF 2026, themed "Raabta Lucknow Calcutta Ka", here on Saturday. The first day of the curtain raiser featured a curated selection of films-Anjuman, The Kankauwwa Wala, Ek Khaas Mulaqaat, and Susman. Nagma Parveen and Sandali Sinha introduced the festival, its central theme, and Sanatkada's ongoing work in the fields of crafts, culture, and heritage. A thematic preview of Raabta Lucknow Calcutta Ka was presented through specially curated reels focusing on food, memory, and migration. Addressing the audience, Nagma Parveen emphasised the importance of crafts within the festival's philosophy. She highlighted that the Crafts Bazaar forms the heart of MSLF, with the Sanatkada Weaves and Crafts Bazaar being dedicated to celebrating master artisans and their exceptional skills. The film screenings began with Muzaffar Ali's Anjuman (1986), which portrayed Lucknow's fading tehzeeb through the powerful character of a chikan embroiderer played by Shabana Azmi. This was followed by The Kankauwwa Wala, a documentary by Sanatkada Trust featuring Late Nawab Ali, a master artisan whose lifelong dedication to craft defined his existence. The film sought to preserve Lucknow's rich artisanal heritage while inspiring younger generations. Ek Khaas Mulaqaat offered intimate video portraits of Chikankari artisans, revealing their personal stories of hardship, resilience, and hope as custodians of a timeless tradition. The screening concluded with Shyam Benegal's Susman (1987), a poignant portrayal of rural ikat handloom weavers struggling against rapid industrialisation, enriched by Kabir's poetry sung by Pandit Jasraj....