Hyderabad heritage comes back to life

It's as if someone has pressed a past-forward button! Edifices that were once relegated to history, languishing in oblivion, have sprung back to life in the city in the past couple of years. They are now the most sought-after venues for cultural shows, conventions, literary fests and even weddings. While the AP Tourism Department and the erstwhile royalty have breathed life and resuscitated some crumbling heritage structures, performing artistes have once again put them back in the spotlight. "Since 2009, we have seen a resurgence of sorts - we have had about half-a-dozen big events at the Qutub Shahi Tombs. The Chowmahallah Palace and the Taramati Baradari are also in great demand, having more than one event every month," says Jayesh Ranjan, secretary, AP Tourism, talking about the growing demand for palaces and forts as venues for shows, performances and private parties. "In fact, this is the best way to get the community involved and get people to value and celebrate their heritage. Recently, a foundation approached us for holding their convention at the Taramati Baradari. Also the Times of India recently held their Sufi Nights at the Qutub Shahi tombs and for the very first time in the city, the Charminar was used as a venue. While that's for the local populace, tourists these days are looking for an enhanced experience. People no longer are content to stand in front of the Charminar or Golconda, click a picture and move on. Shows at these sites make their visits memorable. In fact, after Delhi, Hyderabad has the largest number of monuments and we wanted to capitalize on it," he says. Danseuse Yamini Reddy, who has performed at the Golconda, Chowmahallah and Taramati Baradari says, "For artistes like us, dancing at these venues is a high. Dancing inside these structures was once permitted, but these days performances are held outside as the harsh lights and stage props can damage the structure." While the city has made vast progress with regard to preserving and showcasing its culture and heritage, a lot more is there to be done says Paigah descendant, Faiz Khan. "We have a waterworks department in the Erramanzil Palace and a Unani hospital in a city palace. In fact, there are a couple of palaces near the Chowmahallah that should be restored and brought into public domain for people to admire their beauty or be turned into museums," he says. Talking of the jewel in the city's crown - the Falaknuma Palace which is now a luxury hotel, he says, "Many of my friends from abroad say that this one palace is sufficient to make them want to visit the city. One of our young American friends who visited the palace said, "This is the place where I want to get married!" Summing up the 'royal' appeal of the city, Faiz says, "Hyderabad is blessed with best of both the old and new worlds. We are a bustling metro and at the same time we have a rich heritage and culture that's still vibrant. Much before we have evolved into the city that we are now, the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, when he visited the city for the first time had said, 'Hyderabad is a model of my vision for modern India'!"