29th August 2022, Bangalore: Sonata Software, a global IT services and technology solutions company, and Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF) India announced a multi-year partnership for the restoration of Hyderabad's 19th century British-era Rang Mahal Gardens and Pavilion, now part of the Telangana Mahila Vishwavidyalayam (Women’s University) campus, formerly the University College for Women, Osmania University.
Ancient and rich with almost three thousand years of tradition, the Deccan region of South India has seen the rise and fall of one powerful kingdom after another. Its modern life of vibrant festivals and bustling commerce is as lively as ever. However, the Deccan of the past remains one of India’s best kept secrets.
The DHF is a not-for-profit organization founded by Dr. Helen Philon, an authority on Deccani Sultanate architecture and art, together with Dr George Michell, one of the most distinguished architectural scholars on South Asian architecture alive today. The DHF’s goals are to preserve, restore and promote the heritage of the Deccan region of India, through conservation projects, cultural promotion, and educational programmes, within a sustainable integrated socio-economic development framework.
The DHF India Board boasts of luminaries such as Ambassador Latha Reddy, a distinguished diplomat and ex-Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi and Deputy National Security Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office from 2011-2013; Mr. Sudhakar Rao, an IAS Officer retired as Chief Secretary to the State Government of Karnataka; and Mr. BV Papa Rao, an IAS Officer who was also the Policy Advisor to the Government of Telangana from 2014 to 2018.
One of Sonata Software’s key CSR themes is the ‘Protection of National Heritage, Art and Culture’. Sonata partners with organizations who align towards this objective by providing them technology expertise and financial grants. Under the partnership, Sonata Software would offer support and grants to DHF India towards the conservation of the heritage of the Deccan, specifically the Restoration of the Rang Mahal Pavilion and Gardens, a historic site, which has now fallen into ruin.
Said Srikar Reddy, MD, Sonata Software,” We are pleased to partner with and support DHF India in its efforts towards the conservation of Rang Mahal Gardens and Pavilion. This is in line with Sonata’s ongoing ‘Sustainability’ initiatives, one of which being Protection of national heritage, art and culture including restoration of buildings and sites of historical importance and works of art; setting up public libraries; promotion and development of traditional arts and handicrafts.”
“The Rang Mahal project fulfils the DHF mission of education and adaptive re-use. The British Residency complex today serves as a campus for the Telangana Women’s University, so the restoration of the Rang Mahal will instill in students a suitable sense of history, bringing the past alive. Courses on heritage management and museology are being developed. When restored, the Rang Mahal will also be an attractive venue for concerts.’’ Said Ambassador Latha Reddy, Chairperson, DHF India.
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Nandita Venkatesh
Sonata Software Limited
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Nandita.v@sonata-software.com