T. Sriharsha is not a heritage activist, archaeologist or a historian. The medical doctor, however, has undertaken a task that is of significance in conservation of Hyderabad’s heritage structures. He is on a first of its kind mission to photo-document every heritage structure possible in Hyderabad. He embarked on his pet project around six months ago and named it “Discover Hyderabad”.
British Residency, Koti
He did not decide to photo-document heritage structures of Hyderabad just out of love for history or photography but to ensure that the structures remained at least in photographs for future generation to see.
Mahboobia High School
Dr Sriharsha says, “Looking at the state of affairs of most of the heritage structures in Hyderabad, one cannot be sure whether they will survive even the next decade. I believe that future generations of this city should get a chance to at least see these structures, if not feel them, and decided to undertake this project.”
Raymond’s Tomb
However, with nearly 200 heritage structures in Hyderabad, ensuring that all of them are clicked is not an easy task. And for this Dr Sriharsha divided the city into 17 clusters to keep a track of the number of monuments and the areas he covers as he continues documentation.
Saidanima Tomb, Tank Bund
Till now the doctor has completed photo-documenting 30 heritage structures, most of which are private properties — not an easy task as he had to get permission from the owners. He has also clicked the more-than-100-year-old Chiran Fort, where photography is prohibited, thanks to the help from a well-known heritage expert from the city who recognised the worth of his ambitious project.
Nizamia Observatory, Punjagutta
It was first in New Delhi that the doctor got his hands on a DSLR camera for the first time. And with heritage structures strewn around in New Delhi, he started clicking them and the love affair with history and photography started. “I have received a lot of encouragement and appreciation from my parents and heritage lovers from the city,” says 27-year-old Dr Sriharsha, who wants to pursue Masters in surgery next but will not leave the project midway.
As of now he is uploading the photographs on his blog but soon he plans to have a custom website for Discover Hyderabad. However, Sriharsha says that he has no plans of deriving any monetary benefit from his project by publishing a book.
