Visitors move along the candle-lit edges of the historic Mah Laqa Bai Stepwell at Osmania University during the classical dance presentation “Murta–Maheshwara” in Hyderabad on Saturday (January 31, 2026).
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
The 18th-century Mah Laqa Bai Stepwell, after an extensive two-year restoration project, was inaugurated at the Osmania University College of Education on Saturday.
The restoration project was a multi-stakeholder collaboration among Osmania University, the State government, Infosys Foundation, and voluntary organisations such as MAHE, The Rainwater Project, and SAHE (Society for Advancement of Human Endeavour).
The stepwell in the 18th century was commissioned by acclaimed Urdu poetess, dancer, and political advisor at the court of the second and third Nizams of Hyderabad, Mah Laqa Chanda Bai. The facility served as a vital water source and a cultural hub for intellectual and artistic exchanges.
Famed for the award-winning restoration of Bansilalpet Stepwell, Kalpana Ramesh led the technical efforts. She highlighted the critical role of student volunteers and NGOs in rescuing the structure from decades of neglect.
Classical dancers perform “Murta–Maheshwara” by Sharmila Biswas at the Mah Laqa Bai Stepwell, Osmania University, in Hyderabad on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
RAMAKRISHNA G
The restoration involved painstaking debris removal, structural stabilisation, and the use of local materials like lime plaster to preserve the original aesthetic. The project revitalises the local ecosystem by recharging groundwater, ensuring a sustainable water future for the campus.
At the inaugural evening, Paramparaa Foundation presented Murta-Maheshwara, a classical dance production by Sharmila Biswas. The artistes used the restored stepwell as the backdrop reviving its historic purpose as a space for sacred and artistic expression.
Among the leaders and officials who played a role in the restoration project, and were present at the inaugural, were: Ravi Boudipally from Infosys Foundation, Registrar, Osmania University, G. Naresh Reddy, OSD to VC S. Jithendra Kumar Naik, Principal, University College of Education, Rabindranath Murthy, Director, Biodiversity, Ch. Srinivasulu, technical partners from Heritage Matters.
District Collector Harichandana Dasari present at the inaugural described the restoration ‘truly remarkable’. She congratulated the university, student volunteers, and NGOs, and said the restoration was a shining example of how collective action can breathe new life into the city’s heritage and for securing a sustainable future for its water resources.
Published – February 01, 2026 09:03 pm IST
