Shilpakala Vedika

When Shilpakala Vedika was unveiled in 2002 amidst a lot of fanfare (including a glittering cultural show complete with classical and tribal dances and a lot of dignitaries), there were concerns that Hyderabad’s other, more enduring cultural center, the Ravindra Bharathi, would be put out of business and completely overshadowed. While Ravindra Bharathi is still up today (and still going strong), the fears shared by those people then were not totally unfounded: Shilpakala Vedika is touted as the best convention center in the country and, with its facilities and pedigree, it might as well be.

Shilpakala Vedika is government owned but privately managed. It is located in the heart of Hyderabad’s cyber district, at HITEC City. Sprawling over an area of 60,000 square feet, the cultural center has an auditorium that can house 2000 people. It features the latest state-of-the-art in projection technology as well as a sound system using Bose technology. It also has an acoustic false ceiling as well as an orchestra pit, with huge and well-equipped greenrooms located on either side of the stage. The stage itself uses a multi-level and multi-functional stage lighting to provide an added depth and atmosphere to a performance.

For mini-functions and conferences, the center has three mini-halls that can hold 50 to 200 people in one sitting, set theater-style. There is also an aesthetic roof garden for those who want to hold parties at a posh place, good for about 100 to 150 guests. There are also three circular multi-utlity halls with a central atrium that can hold 1000 people, perfect for large parties, ceremonies, and exhibitions.

The whole center has central air conditioning, so one can be assured that everything will feel comfortable.

Shipakala Vedika is readily accessible to anyone who wants to go there. It is 17 kilometers from the airport, roughly 30 minutes away. The place is 20 kilometers away from the Hyderabad station by train.