Unveiling the Soul of Nations: Hyderabad’s History Literature Festival Celebrates Modern Statesmen, Art, and Musical Heritage
The three-day History Literature Festival kicked off at the Hyderabad Public School on Friday, uniting historians, authors, academics, and researchers for a series of engaging discussions aimed at shaping contemporary historical understanding. The festival promises enriching conversations across diverse themes, appealing to both history enthusiasts and the general public alike.
The opening session, “Two Modern Statesmen: KM Panikkar and M Visvesvaraya,” featured authors Narayani Basu and Aparajith Ramnath, who engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue with historian Amar Farooqui. Basu, who penned the biography “A Man for All Seasons,” explored the life of diplomat K.M. Panikkar, emphasizing his return to India in 1918 amid significant political upheavals, including the aftermath of the First World War, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and the implementation of the Rowlatt Acts. “While Panikkar was sympathetic to the rising nationalist sentiment, his commitment to academia at Aligarh Muslim University led him to forgo direct involvement in the Non-Cooperation Movement,” Basu noted, highlighting his dedication to institutional responsibilities.
Ramnath then shifted focus to M. Visvesvaraya, revered as the “Father of Indian Engineering.” He underscored Visvesvaraya’s visionary role in initiating large-scale engineering projects, particularly reservoirs, and pointed to the Krishna Raja Sagar dam on the Kaveri. “This pioneering multipurpose project addressed crucial needs for irrigation, power generation, and drinking water,” Ramnath explained. However, he tempered the narrative by acknowledging the collective effort that culminated in the dam’s completion, which took nearly 20 years and faced both financial and political obstacles.
The festival also featured the session “Sculpting the Past: Ancient Art of India,” which shed light on the multifaceted nature of Indian art through discussions led by Parul Pandya Dhar, Naman Ahuja, and Pushkar Sohoni. Dhar examined how artistic influences flow in multiple directions, presenting examples of Indo-Asian iconographies. Ahuja discussed the impact of migration and transculturalism on artistic traditions, while Sohoni critiqued the teaching of history in India, which he argued often lacks vibrancy. He also addressed the architectural legacy of the Deccan Sultanate, placing it within wider cultural and political contexts.
The day progressed with “Melodies Through Time: Snippets of Music History,” a session featuring Sumana Ramanan, Priya Purushothaman, and Vidya Rao. The trio delved into the intricate strands of musical history and performance traditions across various regions, captivating the audience with their insights.
The festival concluded its first day with “The Call of Hearts in Love: Myriad Living Traditions of Qawwali.” This session, presented by Kathak dancer and researcher Manjari Chaturvedi along with the Warsi Brothers, celebrated the rich heritage of devotional music traditions, leaving attendees enchanted.
The History Literature Festival is set to continue its exploration of the past until Sunday, promising more sessions that aim to foster dialogue and deepen the understanding of India’s diverse historical narratives. For history lovers and scholars alike, this festival represents an invaluable opportunity to connect theory with practice, enriching both personal and collective historical consciousness.
Published – February 06, 2026 08:09 pm IST.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/history-literature-festival-opens-in-hyderabad-with-focus-on-modern-statesmen-art-music-traditions/article70600205.ece
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Publish Date: 2026-02-06 20:09:00
