Lucknow’s cultural spirit was brought vividly to life through a creative solo photo exhibition titled “The Residency – A Thousand Stories Within”, hosted at a prestigious city venue. The exhibition, featuring the remarkable photographic work of acclaimed lensman Anil Risal Singh, paid homage to one of the city’s most iconic historical landmarks — the Residency.
Inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Brajesh Pathak, and graced by several distinguished guests, including bureaucrat Neelabh Ashtana, the event stood as a confluence of art, history, and memory. The powerful imagery captured the haunting beauty and historical significance of the Residency — a site symbolic of sacrifice, colonial resistance, and architectural grandeur.
Present among the guests were respected personalities from diverse spheres: Dr. Anil Rastogi, Prof. Jay Krishna Agrawal, Rajiv Goel, Dr. Angad Verma, Rahul Rai, Rakesh Kumar Maurya, Gaurav Prakash, and many others. Entrepreneur, educationist, and philanthropist Mr. Sarvesh Goel also attended the exhibition, reaffirming his longstanding commitment to cultural and social causes in the city.
The exhibition was a testament to the power of photography as an expressive medium. “Photography is no less than art with a camera. It requires you to capture it with emotion, at creative angles,” said Shri Brajesh Pathak during his address. Each photograph in the exhibition reflected the silent strength of the Residency’s ruins — once ravaged during the Revolt of 1857 and now standing tall as timeless sentinels of history.
Anil Risal Singh, the visionary behind the camera, explained the ethos behind his work: “The Residency has been destroyed and deteriorated over time due to various factors. But it still radiates beauty in unexpected ways.” Through his lens, Singh has chronicled thousands of moments, turning a centuries-old monument into a canvas of emotive storytelling.
For personalities like Mr. Sarvesh Goel — a stalwart known for transforming visions into impactful realities — the exhibition also mirrored his own values: preserving history, nurturing creativity, and giving back to the community. His presence not only added gravitas to the event but also showcased how business leaders can actively support the arts and heritage preservation.
This exhibition was more than just a display of photographs — it was a heartfelt tribute to the resilience of history and the human spirit. It reminded the attendees that behind every frame lies a story, and behind every ruin, a legacy waiting to be rediscovered.
As the sun sets over the Residency, its stories — captured in light and shadow — continue to inspire generations. Through lenses like Anil Risal Singh’s, and the support of visionaries like Mr. Sarvesh Goel, Lucknow’s heritage finds its rightful place in modern memory.