Kishan Reddy highlights ₹12 cr light show at Osmania University
Synopsis
The Ministry of Tourism has developed a ₹12 crore Facade Illumination and Light & Sound Show at Osmania University's Arts College Building in Hyderabad, featuring DMX-powered 16-million-colour lighting and 3D projection mapping. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy highlighted the initiative as a celebration of Telangana's heritage and the university's 100-year legacy.
Key Takeaways
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India developed the Facade Illumination and Light & Sound Show at Osmania University Arts College Building in Hyderabad at a project cost of ₹12 crore .
The installation uses DMX technology to produce over 16 million colours in dynamic facade lighting, paired with state-of-the-art 3D projection mapping .
The show celebrates the 100-year legacy of Osmania University (founded 1917) and portrays India's freedom struggle, honouring unsung heroes.
An Aqua Screen Projection Mapping and synchronised fountain show is held every Sunday evening and is open to all visitors.
The initiative is aimed at promoting heritage tourism and connecting Telangana's younger generation with the state's cultural and educational history.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Sunday, July 12, 2026, drew attention to a ₹12 crore Facade Illumination and Light & Sound Show installed by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India at the iconic Osmania University Arts College Building in Hyderabad, calling it a showcase of Telangana's rich history and the university's century-old legacy.
Context
The post highlights a state-of-the-art attraction at Osmania University, one of India's oldest modern universities, founded in 1917 in Hyderabad. The Arts College Building, celebrated for its Indo-Saracenic architecture, serves as the canvas for dynamic facade illumination capable of rendering over 16 million colours using DMX technology, alongside 3D projection mapping that delivers an immersive visual experience for visitors.
Kishan Reddy noted that the show 'beautifully showcases Telangana's rich history, vibrant cultural heritage and the University's remarkable legacy,' and includes a portrayal of India's freedom struggle, 'honouring the courage and sacrifices of countless unsung heroes.' An Aqua Screen Projection Mapping and synchronised fountain show is held every Sunday evening and is open to all visitors free of charge.
Policy Backdrop
The project is part of the Ministry of Tourism's broader push to develop heritage tourism infrastructure at historically significant sites across India. The ministry's Swadesh Darshan scheme, launched in 2014-15, has funded theme-based heritage circuits combining modern visitor amenities with cultural education at public monuments.
The initiative also marks the 100-year legacy of Osmania University, which observed its centenary in 2017 with events underscoring its contributions to regional education and the Telangana statehood movement. The use of LED facade lighting and projection mapping at educational and freedom-struggle sites reflects a nationwide trend that gained momentum as the tourism sector recovered from the COVID-19 slump.
Stakeholders and Impact
The attraction is positioned to serve heritage tourists, university students, and Telangana youth seeking to connect with the state's distinct cultural narrative. Since Telangana's formation in 2014, successive governments have prioritised regional heritage identities separate from broader Andhra history, and centrally funded projects of this kind lend institutional weight to that effort.
By being open to all visitors on Sunday evenings, the show also creates a low-barrier public cultural experience in Hyderabad, potentially driving evening footfall to the Osmania University campus and surrounding areas. Kishan Reddy, who serves as BJP Telangana state president in addition to his central ministerial role, has frequently used such announcements to highlight the Centre's developmental investments in the state.
What's Next
Visitor footfall data from the weekly Sunday aqua-screen shows will be a key indicator of the project's cultural and tourism impact. Observers will watch whether the Ministry of Tourism extends similar illumination and 3D mapping works to other heritage monuments across Telangana under central tourism schemes, building a broader heritage tourism circuit in the state.
Point of View
The BJP is working to associate itself with the state's distinct regional identity ahead of future electoral cycles. Kishan Reddy's dual role as Union Minister and state BJP president makes him the natural face for such announcements, allowing the party to claim credit for Centre-funded cultural investments in a state it does not govern. The project also fits into a wider national pattern of using experiential heritage tourism — light shows, projection mapping, aqua screens — to repackage historical sites for younger, urban audiences. Whether the Sunday-evening show translates into sustained footfall and broader tourism revenue will determine if it becomes a replicable model for other Telangana monuments under central schemes.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the light and sound show at Osmania University about?
The Facade Illumination and Light & Sound Show at Osmania University's Arts College Building in Hyderabad depicts Telangana's history, cultural heritage, and the university's 100-year legacy, including scenes from India's freedom struggle. It was developed by the Ministry of Tourism at a cost of ₹12 crore.
When is the Osmania University aqua screen show held?
The Aqua Screen Projection Mapping and synchronised fountain show is held every Sunday evening at Osmania University in Hyderabad and is open to all visitors.
How much did the Osmania University illumination project cost?
The project cost is ₹12 crore, funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
What technology is used in the Osmania University facade illumination?
The show uses DMX technology capable of producing over 16 million colours for dynamic facade lighting, along with state-of-the-art 3D projection mapping for an immersive visual experience.
Why is G. Kishan Reddy promoting the Osmania University light show?
G. Kishan Reddy is Union Minister of Coal and Mines and BJP's Telangana state president. He regularly highlights central government cultural and developmental investments in Telangana, and the Ministry of Tourism project at Osmania University falls within that scope.
