Heritage...re-staged: Can Hyderabad's rapidly evolving historic spaces walk the fine line between programming and preservation?

Hyderabad’s historic monuments are slipping out of their museum-like stillness into a restless, contemporary life. From electronic music echoing off ancient stepwells to couture in colonial halls, the city is witnessing a visible redefinition of what it means for heritage to remain alive. Yet, as Hyderabad marks World Heritage Day, this “modern remix” sparks sharp debate. While curators frame these events as vital activations, conservationists see a symptom of a chronic lack of funding and alternative infrastructure. Activists warn that using fragile sites as default event venues risks trading historical sanctity for a temporary social media aesthetic. In this delicate balance, the question remains: are we reviving our heritage, or simply exploiting it to bridge budget gaps?British Residency: Fashion meets history at a restored Palladian landmarkIn January, designer Tarun Tahiliani marked 30 years of his label with a showcase at the British Residency. The early 19th-century Palladian structure, built by James Achilles Kirkpatrick in collaboration with local craftsmen, was restored with support from the World Monuments Fund. The building, which reflects a blend of colonial and Indo-Islamic influences, was opened as a venue following these conservation efforts. The designer cited the “White Mughal” era and the structure’s “confluence of influences” as a direct extension of his design language, positioning the Residency as a thematic anchor for the collection rather than a mere backdrop.Bansilalpet Stepwell: Experimental musical nights at restored historic stepwellsHyderabad’s stepwells have emerged as venues for live performances, from Bansilalpet Stepwell to Bapu Ghat Baoli, positioning them as immersive sound spaces within a wider trend of experimental heritage use centred on atmospheric architecture and younger audiences.Taramati Baradari: 17th-century heritage meets modern multi-genre utilityTaramati Baradari near Golconda Fort continues to function as a multi-format cultural venue, hosting everything from underground electronic music events to classical evenings and large-scale lifestyle showcases. Earlier this month, a music collective, transformed the site into a techno and house music space, drawing around 400 attendees for a private electronic set featuring local DJs. In contrast, “Gayaki Gat Ghazal”, held in February, offered a classical jugalbandi performance rooted in traditional acoustics and ambience. The venue has also hosted fashion and art installations by Martand Khosla and Ayesha Singh, alongside appearances by figures from film and fashion including Naga Chaitanya, Anaita Shroff Adajania, and Jayanti Reddy.Chowmahalla Palace: Curated nights in the Nizam’s courtAt Chowmahalla Palace, heritage is being reinterpreted through The Chowmahalla Experiences (TCE), a programme of guided night tours followed by live music and curated dining inside the former seat of the Nizams. Curator Aamir Tameem frames the initiative as a shift away from conventional museum formats. “It’s culture, history and food in a more immersive and accessible way,” he says adding, “Around 60% of the current clientele comprises younger audiences, particularly millennials.” On the larger question of sustainability, he says, “There’s certainly value in the commercial use of heritage spaces, but it’s a delicate balance… Activating heritage spaces in this way not only enhances their cultural appeal but also helps sustain them… it’s a more dynamic way of ensuring these monuments remain both meaningful and well-preserved.” Prioritise site sanctity, say conservationists‘Sensitisation is the most important thing’Anuradha Reddy, convener of INTACH Hyderabad, links the use of heritage spaces for events to a larger funding and upkeep gap. “These places are often lent out because there is no funding. Authorities must provide proper and continuous maintenance funds. Restoration alone is not enough. There must be ongoing care,” she says. On how these spaces are presented to audiences during events, she stresses the need for contextual understanding. “If events are used to attract young people, organisers must clearly state that the event is being held at a heritage site and explain its history… Without that, what is the point? The difference between thoughtful use and commercialisation lies in awareness and supervision. But the most important thing is sensitisation. People must understand the importance of the place.”‘The cultural link is often missing’While these sites are not inherently meant for such activities, they are still being adapted for them, says architect and researcher Mohammed Sibghatullah Khan. “To some extent, this also reflects a lack of alternative infrastructure. There simply aren’t enough dedicated cultural venues, which is perhaps why heritage spaces are increasingly being drawn into this role. Even when events are hosted, they are expected to be contextually relevant and designed in a way that does not dilute the historical significance of the space,” he said.Active use funds upkeep, say reuse advocates‘Reusing heritage sites has evolved, not been designed as policy’“The idea of activating heritage sites as cultural hubs has not emerged from a single, top-down policy but has evolved over time through a combination of government support and sustained efforts by Hyderabad’s cultural community,” says Dr Harikrishna Mamidi, Director, BC Study Circle, Govt of Telangana, historian, and cultural studies expert. “These initiatives reflect a long-standing effort to bring heritage sites into the city’s cultural life,” he notes, referring to formats such as ghazal evenings at the Qutub Shahi Tombs and mushairas near Charminar. “While these events may appear purely cultural or aesthetic on the surface, they generate wider economic activity… This influx not only makes heritage spaces more visible and relevant to contemporary audiences but also creates revenue streams that can support their upkeep and conservation,” he contends.‘These spaces derive value when they are alive’Conservation architect and heritage consultant Madhu Vottery frames the increasing use of heritage sites as cultural venues as both necessary and positive, provided it is handled responsibly. “These cultural and historic sites must be used. They derive their value when they are alive and accessible to people. What is the point of having vast heritage spaces if they are left vacant, uncared for, or replaced by constructing so-called community centres or enclosed performance venues? Not everything needs to be an air-conditioned space.”At the same time, she stresses alignment between site and programming. “A historic site is a setting, and how it is used depends on responsibility… These are not neutral backdrops, they carry their own cultural weight.”