Hyderabad’s 300-year-old Bansilalpet Stepwell in Secunderabad breathes differently on weekends. Long accustomed to silence and solitude, the historic structure transforms into a space alive with music, poetry and conversation. As warm lights cascade down the stone steps and reflections shimmer across the water below, sound travels softly through its ancient arches, turning the stepwell into a living, breathing cultural venue.
For a few hours every weekend, the monument sheds its status as a relic and becomes a shared experience—one where history listens as much as it speaks.
Behind this revival is Tangy Sessions, a cultural platform founded by Arjuna Prasad and Deepa Radhakrishnan. Known for curating intimate artistic gatherings in unconventional spaces, the duo found the stepwell to be a natural extension of their vision—where heritage could meet contemporary expression.
“While Hyderabad is abundant with monuments, very few heritage spaces are associated with music,” says Arjuna. For him, Bansilalpet Stepwell was not just a structure but a living canvas waiting to be activated. “Constant cultural programming brings heritage spaces alive. Visitors don’t just come once—they return. Over time, these places become part of their memories and identity.”
Weekends at the Stepwell
Tangy Sessions’ programmes at Bansilalpet Stepwell are held exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays, between 5:45 pm and 8 pm. As the sun dips and the air cools, the atmosphere shifts—creating an intimate setting where performances unfold naturally with the surroundings.
Each weekend brings a different experience. The line-up ranges from folk and Sufi music to poetry, mushairas, dance, theatre and even rap. The diversity reflects Tangy Sessions’ belief in experiential tourism—where heritage sites are not just observed, but felt.
“We are not genre-agnostic,” Arjuna explains, “but we are extremely mindful of volume and mood.” Performances are curated carefully so that the art complements the stepwell rather than overpowering it.
Music, however, remains at the heart of these evenings. “Music leaves a lasting impact,” Arjuna says with a smile. “As Indians, we all live with background music playing in our minds.”
Artists, Atmosphere and Authenticity
The stepwell has hosted performances by artists like Sufi, known for his evocative Urdu renditions, and Abhijeet Gurjale, whose violin performances echo gently through the stone corridors. While many performers are from Hyderabad, Tangy Sessions also invites select artists from other cities, including Satlaj Rahat Indori, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya and Shreya Jain.
Later this month, on December 27 and 28, the platform will host Ali Saffudin, a Kashmiri singer-songwriter known for blending rock with Kashmiri Sufi poetry.
Notably, none of the sessions are sponsored. Many artists perform without their usual commercial fees, drawn instead by the rare experience of performing within a living heritage site.
Community Response and Growing Buzz
Situated in a residential neighbourhood, Bansilalpet Stepwell has always drawn local attention. Now, that engagement has deepened. “Young people from the area have begun volunteering at our shows,” Arjuna shares. “They come up to us, appreciate the performances and feel proud of what’s happening here.”
The response online has been equally overwhelming. Reels showcasing the stepwell performances have gone viral, drawing visitors from Bengaluru, Pune, Vizag and beyond.
Encouraged by this response, Tangy Sessions plans to curate similar experiences at other heritage locations in Hyderabad. The platform has already collaborated with the Telangana Tourism Department and participated in policy stakeholder meetings, with the aim of reconnecting locals with their own heritage.
“Tourists and NRIs are often more connected to heritage,” Arjuna observes. “But these spaces truly survive when locals and visitors experience them together.”
Keeping It Intimate
Despite the growing popularity, attendance at the stepwell remains intentionally limited. Tickets are released weekly through Tangy Sessions’ Instagram via a Google form.
“We don’t use ticketing platforms because we want to know who’s attending,” Arjuna explains. “We want people who understand and respect the space. When a community like that comes together, that’s when the magic really happens.”