Festival of Charminar

HYDERABAD: In an indication of instilling confidence among people over the improving situation in the Old City after it was rocked by recent communal riots the ministry of tourism has decided to organise a gala event — Festival of Charminar — on August 6.
The festival to be held at the foot of the majestic Charminar will witness Javed Akhtar reciting his poetry and Farooq Sheikh enacting his roles from some of his popular plays.Singer Zilla Khan has agreed to present her sufi songs and the noted Hyderabadi Warsi brothers sing Qawwali.
Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary, tourism, told TOI that the half-day event is the first in a series his department is planning for the Old City.
The event will feature on-the-spot painting by Hyderabadi artist Aziz who has made a name world over for his works.
For Charminar we have come up with a chick variety of colourful lighting. It will be pleasing to the eyes and will enhance the beauty of the monument. It will be inaugurated during the event, he said.
The other features of the festival would be the flagging off of the Second Heritage Walk from Charminar to Badshahi Ashoor Khana. The first heritage walk which started about six months ago is between Charminar and Chowmohalla Palace.