In spite of all the sightseeing, the shopping in Hyderabad markets and the photography in the old corridors of the Palace, the reckless snacking on the streets and the limitless nights at the Symbiosis campus were the best parts of the trip
The Monday after the fourth semester exams, Mass Communication students sat on the edge of their Shatabdi seats and waited for the train to lurch forward and leave for Hyderabad, the city of pearls and lakes.
Our first destination, B. M. Birla Science Museum comprises of a planetarium, museum, science center, art gallery and a dinosaurium is their newest addition. During the screening of the 3-D marine life documentary, ‘Secrets of the Universe’, I sat on the first seat, with my eyes glued to the tape showing underwater reefs, corals and other marine life.
On day two of Hyderabad Diaries, we visited Sudha Cars Museum, where we enjoyed the wacky vehicle collection, hoping to gain inspiration from all the creativity around. The next stop was Chowmahalla Palace, the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad from when they ruled the state. Built in the neo-classical style, the vintage room of the last Nizam was adorned with hand-made furniture, which made us realize the impact of industrialization and mass production on such cultural idiosyncrasies. That evening, having missed lunch and exhausted from the endless walk in the Salar Jung museum, we went to Paradise to gobble down their famously delicious biryanis.
Day three was all about Ramoji Film City, the largest integrated film city in the world and a tribute to the bewitching magic of cinema. Although it was my second time at Ramoji, I had a different experience with my batch-mates and enjoyed every moment of the specially guided tour. The end to the day at Film City was the rain dance at the Ballerina Dancing Fountain, a relief in the scorching sun.
On the last day, we visited the State Archaeology and Health museums, run-down but two of the oldest in Hyderabad. A huge wooden chariot, over 500 years old, on the grounds of the State Archaeology museum became the background to our many group pictures. Finally, we finishing our tour with the Andhra thali.
In spite of all the sightseeing, the shopping in Hyderabad markets and the photography in the old corridors of the Palace, the reckless snacking on the streets and the limitless nights at the Symbiosis campus were the best parts of the trip. Lolling on the lawns of the campus on warm summery nights, playing several games of Tug of War with the entire group and singing back to our rooms in an otherwise empty girls’ hostel are memories I will long cherish.
Article by: Geetanjali Shekharappa Gurlhosur (Batch of 2017)
Photograph by: Tanvi Jain (Batch of 2017)
