City gets an art and culture boost

Facilitating a better interaction with artists and to hold international art fests in Hyderabad, AP Tourism is all set to launch the Multipurpose Cultural Complex at Kavuri Hills.

The Multipurpose Cultural Complex (MPCC) at Kavuri Hills, is all set to be launched on April 18, on the occasion of World Heritage Day. The complex has been constructed on a 2.5 acre land and is a myriad culture-space.

Speaking about her team’s effort, Chandana Khan, Special Chief Secretary, AP Tourism, says, “The main objective of this centre is to showcase the invaluable tradition of Andhra Pradesh, both tangible and intangible.”

With a total budget of Rs 13 crore, this massive complex will house ten galleries, an auditorium, a conference room and a restaurant too. This will be a preferred destination for national and international exhibitions.

Chandana says, “Initially, the work started with a budget Rs 2 crore. Soon departments of archaeology, tourism and culture, pitched in their bit to construct this dream venue. MPCC is a one stop window to showcase the heritage of our state—undivided. Hyderabad has become a hub for international conferences. Once the MPCC becomes functional, we will have guided tours of arts, crafts and culture. This tour will start from Paryatak Bhavan, move to Art Gallery, Shilparamam and end here. We are expecting a lot of visitors even locally. As it is summer time, Hyderabadis will like to step out in the evenings. Keeping this in view, we plan to have the hall open till 8pm.”

A look at the galleries

Gallery A: It houses rural arts and crafts which will display musical instruments, kalamkari and cherial paintings, masks, leather puppets and brassware.

Gallery B: It showcases tribal arts and crafts which will display the crafts of Gond, Savara and Koya tribes, including their musical instruments, masks and headgears.

Gallery C: It houses a heritage museum demonstrating archaeological artefacts including the Stone Age tools, Iron Age instruments, early medieval antiques like porcelain and enamel utensils etc. It will represent the cultural history of the region, besides showcasing Ajanta Paintings.

Gallery D: This gallery is exclusively for children. It is furnished with tables, chairs, arts and craft material and will project art and craft activity and children’s films.

The first floor of the MPCC has the remaining four galleries namely

Gallery E: The textile gallery will exhibit ancient textiles, Buddhist Tan, Kanchi sarees and carpets of the medieval times. One section of the AP State Museum will be displayed at the gallery. In another section, traditional sarees of Andhra Pradesh including Gadwal, Madhavaram, Uppada, Mangalagiri, Chirala, Sirisilla, Dharmavaram etc, will be displayed.

Gallery F: It is the Writer’s Gallery. It will display photographs and sample writings of the famous writers of the region. On the magazine floor, a library with books written by award winners will be displayed. Necessary facilities for book launch, rendering of poetry and book readings, will also be created at the gallery.

Chandana Khan said, “Since I am not too well-versed with Telugu literature, I requested Kavitha Prasad, director of AP cultural department, and his able team to take care of this section. The idea to have this gallery stemmed from my tours abroad, especially in Spain, where there are several such Writers’ Porticos. We are trying to replicate historic writers’ works, which includes their voice or videos and manuscripts which they have penned. This will surely motivate and thrill aspiring writers.

Gallery G: It is for performing arts. A stage with seating arrangements for cultural programmes has been planned and will be taken up in second phase.

Gallery H: It’s a fascinating museum for dolls which will have puppets or Katputli, Madhubani, Jharkhand, Yetikoppaka, Kalahasthi, Nirmal, Kondapalli etc and many more toys.

Another major attraction will be the heritage rocks which are a part of the natural landscape standing majestically to add to ‘Stone Age’ ambience. “The MPCC with all its exhibits and with cultural programmes being arranged frequently will surely be one-of-a-kind at least in South India,” says a determined Chandana.