On October 4th, the Department of Communication at the Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad, hosted its much-anticipated Annual Alumni Meet and Dinner. The event followed the CVS Sarma Memorial Lecture delivered by Osama Manzar from the Digital Empowerment Foundation earlier in the day.

The evening kicked off with a warm welcome from the alumni hosts to the 3rd Semester Class of 2025, who are set to graduate next year. Prof. Usha Raman, Head of Department, gave an insightful speech highlighting the past year’s achievements, including new academic milestones and the addition of classrooms in the SN School Annexe Building. A solemn minute of silence was observed in memory of Namagiri Bidharhalli (Class of 1992) and Arun John (Class of 2009), who were dearly missed by the community.

The evening became even more nostalgic as Sri Pavan Kumar Manvi, one of the founders and first full-time faculty members, shared heartfelt stories about the early days of the Department, the struggles they faced, and how the alumni have now become part of his extended family.

Alumni from the Class of 1991, the first batch to study in a fully-equipped studio, including Prof. Sandeep R Muppidi, Supriya Sakamuri, and Padma Iruvanti, reminisced about their time at the Department. Prof. Muppidi, currently a Fulbright Fellow teaching at the University, spoke about the journey from student life to building a thriving career.

The Class of 2025 was introduced to the alumni community, engaging in interactive sessions with professionals spanning a wide range of fields—Journalists, Filmmakers, Writers, Producers, Political Consultants, Entrepreneurs, and more. The students marvelled at how some alumni had graduated before they were even born!

The evening concluded with the traditional group photo of alumni from batches ranging from 1991 to 2024, along with the Department’s faculty members. It was a memorable evening filled with learning, connection, and celebration of the Department’s vibrant legacy.

Cheers to the enduring legacy and future achievements of the Department of Communication alumni!

– By Pranay Rupani – MA-Communication 2006-08