Visitors move along the candle-lit edges of the historic Mah Laqa Bai Stepwell at Osmania University during the presentation of the classical dance ‘Murta–Maheshwara’ in Hyderabad on Saturday (January 31, 2026). | Photo credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
The 18th-century Mah Laqa Bai Stepwell was inaugurated at the Osmania University College of Education on Saturday after an extensive two-year restoration project.
The restoration project was a multi-stakeholder collaboration between Osmania University, the state government, the Infosys Foundation and voluntary organizations such as MAHE, The Rainwater Project and SAHE (Society for the Advancement of Human Endeavour).
The Stepwell was commissioned in the 18th century by Mah Laqa Chanda Bai, a renowned Urdu poet, dancer and political advisor in the court of the second and third Nizams of Hyderabad. The facility served as a vital source of water and a cultural center for intellectual and artistic exchange.
Kalpana Ramesh, known for the award-winning restoration of the Bansilalpet Stepwell, led the technical effort. She highlighted the vital role of student volunteers and NGOs in saving the structure from decades of neglect.
Classical dancers perform ‘Murta–Maheshwara’ by Sharmila Biswas at Mah Laqa Bai Stepwell, Osmania University, in Hyderabad on Saturday. | Photo credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
The restoration involved careful removal of debris, stabilization of the structure and the use of local materials such as lime plaster to preserve the original aesthetic. The project revitalizes the local ecosystem by recharging groundwater, ensuring a sustainable water future for the campus.
At the inaugural evening, the Foundation presented Paramparaa Murta-Maheshwara, a classical dance production by Sharmila Biswas. Artists have used the restored stepwell as a backdrop reviving its historic purpose as a space for sacred and artistic expression.
Among the leaders and functionaries who played a role in the restoration project and were present at the inauguration were: Ravi Boudipally of Infosys Foundation, Registrar, Osmania University, G. Naresh Reddy, OSD to VC S. Jithendra Kumar Naik, Director, University College of Education, Rabindranath Murthy, Director, Biodiversity, Ch. Srinivasulu, technical partners at Heritage Matters.
District Collector Harichandana Dasari, present at the inauguration, described the restoration as “truly remarkable”. Congratulating the university, student volunteers and NGOs, she said the restoration is a shining example of how collective action can breathe new life into a city’s heritage and ensure a sustainable future for its water resources.
Published – 01 Feb 2026 21:03 IST
