If you are an art enthusiast and looking for some place that gives a feel of rural life while still within the city limit , then you just need to walk into the Shilparamam village in Hyderabad. This art and craft village located in Madhapur in High-tech city emphasizes the conservation of traditional heritage, culture as well as craft.
Various festivals held in the village attract a large number of tourists from across the globe. The place is ideal if you are looking forward to spending some quality time here admiring precious art work and at the same time going through a unique shopping experience.
This beautiful village is considered as a tribute to the diverse beauty of rural India. Over the years, the place has become hugely popular as a tourist destination of Hydearabad and has drawn a good number of visitors.
Spread over an area of 65 acres, the entire beautiful village is set amidst mesmerizing waterfalls and breathtaking greenery. The village is arranged into sections that depict each region of the country. To keep visitors engaged, the village features a rural museum, a library, a recreational centre, an auditorium, an art gallery, a research and development centre, a craft museum, a rock museum, a cultural museum, and boating activities.
So, what are you waiting for? There are several reasons that make Shilparamam a compulsive visit. Do come and see.
Post Contents
1. Shilparamam is a village vibrance set amidst IT hub of Hyderabad
Shilparamam is a rural setting that allows you to explore an ethnic Indian village, and provides you a taste of true country nativity in the bustling capital city of Hyderabad. Shilparamam is an arts and crafts exhibition hub in the form of a village put up in Madhapur, Hyderabad, and is a must-see when in the city. The aim of establishing the village was to give visitors a sense of being in a village while also giving traditional craftspeople a place to showcase their art.
Shilparamam, the most popular crafts village in Hyderabad, was founded in 1992. The place is right in the heart of the state capital and just next to the IT hub High-tech City area of the city. The place is known to host ethnic festivals round the year. When I visited the place in the month of October, there was the All India Saree Mela. The site is spread over an area of 65 acres of land that offers a breathtaking view and a traditional ambience.
Shilparamam is rich in tradition and cultural heritage. It is a tribute to all the traditional and cultural artisans of Telangana. The place is surrounded by lush vegetation and offers a tranquil setting. Woodwork, fabrics, jewelry, and regional crafts have been used to create it. Close to the entrance of Shilparamam, You can spot a lush green lawn that has been beautifully landscaped which in turn is surrounded by ethnic motifs and terracotta sculptures.
Similar article: MP Tribal Museum: Celebrating tribal life/ Madhya Pradesh
2. Explore the Village Museum at Shilparamam
The Village Museum, also known as Rural Museum, is a major highlight of Shilparamam and easily catches the attention of the visitors for obvious reasons. The rural setting amidst the trees, is the epitome of a typical Indian village.It has over 15 life-sized huts, which are constructed carefully out of baked clay and thatch, to bring out the true flavor of rural and tribal lifestyles.
Shilparamam’s lush surroundings are totally sculpted with woodwork, fabrics, jewelry, and local crafts from across India, displaying a diverse range of artistic ethos. It provides a window to rural life for city dwellers and those who have never visited a village before. The museum houses sculptures and life size models depicting the day-to-day activities of the rural artisans.
3. Visit the Rock Museum of Shilparamam
A visit to the rock museum is a must which boasts of a large number of natural rock formations. Here you can see how Subrata Basu of Shantiniketan has fashioned a rock garden by blending his personal rock collections with the village’s rock formations. In the Rock Museum, natural rocks stand unmoved in a scenic form.
Thus an exquisite soul-stirring Rock Museum has taken birth. The rock museum in Shilparamam Hyderabad is indeed nature’s poem.Shilparamam now has a beautiful ecological element thanks to this Rock Museum.
Related Article: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya: Showcasing the real and indigenous India
4. Handicraft Museum
Another attraction in Shilparamam is the Handicrafts museum. It’s a circular duplex structure showcasing some of the most beautiful craft forms from all across the country. You will find here terracotta art, Madhubani painting, handmade jute dolls, leather puppets, wood carvings, Bidriware, Nettipattam, Gond painting, Oriya pattachitra, Rajasthani stone sculpture, Chattisgarh’s loha shilp, blow glassware, Goan shellware, handloom, to name a few.
5. Enjoy the evening at the amphitheater of Shilparamam
Another thing that makes the visit to Shilparaman worthwhile is that you can have a good time watching some cultural programmes at the amphitheatre in the evening. Thus, it is a good idea to plan your visit to Shilparamam in the late afternoon, so that you can catch up with the evening programme.The amphitheatre provides an ideal setting for visitors to relax and enjoy a variety of cultural programmes such as classical music, dance, and folk art performances. The amphitheatre, with a seating capacity of 1,500 people, is the centre of attraction at the Crafts Village and serves as a backdrop for performances by artists from all over the country. Theatres and dance performances are conducted here on a regular basis.
Folk and classical arts such as Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Yakshagana, and all indigenous arts have benefited from the Amphitheatre. Workshops, seminars, and museums and art galleries are held here. Popular classical dancers, music maestros, and other promising young artists perform here on a regular basis.
The amphitheatre’s performances are dominated by folk and tribal art.This provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for less fortunate rural residents to come here, participate, and meet well-known artists. The hunting class’s Koya, Dhimsa, Dappulu, and Veera Natyam are all popular dance traditions here.
You may also Llike: Know all that make Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad a must visit attraction
6. Go on a shopping spree
Shilparamam is not just about museums, art galleries and natural beauty, it is also a haven for the shoppers. In fact, hardly anyone who pays a visit to Shilparamam comes out without shopping. If you love shopping, then Shilparamam is the right place for you. Undoubtedly the main reason for people visiting Shilparamam is the shopping scene. There are a multitude of stalls at Shilparamam showcasing handicrafts from different states of India. The handicrafts range from textiles to toys, from jewelry to carpets and from furniture to artwork.
Some of the popular items that you can shop here include terracotta and pottery, clothing and accessories, Jewelry, bidriware, paintings, embroidery and applique work, brass idols and woodcraft. In addition, you will also find the metal embossing, sandalwood carving, lac work, jute and bamboo crafts, rosewood inlay, bronze casting and much more.
The Night Market: The Night Market is open from 3 PM. to 3 AM. and that attracts a lot of attention from people who are looking for a unique midnight shopping experience.
Do read: Chowmahalla Palace of Hyderabad: An ode to the architectural wonder of Nizam legacy
7. Festivals at Shilparamam
Shilparamam has been hosting an annual festival to showcase the art and craft work of local craftsmen since 1995. Local craftspeople are invited to participate in the festival by sending invitations. During the festival, there are a variety of cultural activities to keep the tourists entertained. The International Kite Festival, Navrathri, Sankranti Sandadi, Ugadi, and others are among the festivals observed in Shilparamam.
How to reach Shilparamam
Shilparamam is about 14 kilometers from the city centre and thus easy to reach either from Secunderabad or Hyderabad. High-tech City metro station is only a few minutes walk from Shilparamam and is by far the best option for the city dwellers. Those coming from outside should first reach Hyderabad which has excellent link to all parts of the country by air, train and buses.
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is the nearest airport while Secunderabad Junction and Hyderabad railway station are the nearest railheads. After reaching the airport, you can take the taxi to reach Shiparamam. If you are coming by train, then I will recommend you to take the metro to reach the High-tech City metro station to reach Shilparamam which is just next to the station.
Where to stay in Shilparamam
You can find several stay options such as hotels, motels and lounges in Shilparamam which offer nice accommodations. However most people usually prefer to stay in Hyderabad as the distance from Hyderabad to Shilparamam is very less. All kinds of accommodations, right from budget hotels to five star hotels can be easily found in Hyderabad.
Another good option for you if you want to stay near Shilparamam is either in High-tech City or in Gachibowli. Several hotels dot these areas to suit your pocket. The area also boasts of some of the best eateries in the city and it may come handy if you are a food lover.
Recommended Read: A day at Golconda Fort in Hyderabad
When to visit Shilparamam
You can visit Shilparamam at any time of the year, but visiting during festivals will definitely add more colours to your visit. Although open throughout the week, Shilparamam timings are from 10.30 am to 8.30 pm, so plan your visit accordingly.
The annual All-India Festival of Arts and Crafts, held here in February, celebrates the country’s cultural and artistic traditions. Indian festivals are observed in a traditional manner. These festivals bring together creative people from over the world to perform classical music performances, flute recitals, Bharata Natyam to Bhangra, Perini to modern English plays. So, it is a good idea to visit Shilparama during this time of the year.
Address: Shilparamam
Hi Tech City Main Road, Madhapur,
Hi Tech City, Hyderabad.
Telangana, INDIA 500 081
Phone Number : +91 (40) 64518164
Shilparamam Visiting Hours : 10.30 am to 8.30 pm
Entry Ticket Fee : Adults – Rs.40, Children – Rs.20
Boating : Rs.30/- per head
Battery Operated Car : Rs. 15/- per head
Shilparamam FAQs
This is an art and craft village set amidst the busy high-tech city area in Hydearabad, one of the biggest IT hubs in the country. Spread over 65 acres of land, the main purpose of Shilparamam is to preserve and showcase the traditional cultural heritage in a village setting.
Yes. It remains open from 3 PM in the afternoon till 3 AM in the late night. It is a good place for you, if you love a mid-night shopping experience.
The Rock Museum at Shilparamam is the result of the natural rock formations and personal collection of Subrata Basu of Shantiniketan who fashioned the rock garden.
It will definitely make your day, if you are an art enthusiast. Shilparamam will keep you engaged as long as you are there for its diverse displays. It is a welcome respite from busy city life for some quiet and quality time.