The Department of Liberal Arts, IIT Hyderabad and Maqaam Foundation, New Delhi, with Spacefelt (Hyderabad) as the accessibility partner, organised a three-day inclusive art exhibition during 28th February and 2nd March 2025. The inclusive art exhibition was hosted by the Telangana State Gallery of Art located in Jubilee Hills. It featured 40+ artists, 100+ artworks, six accessibility stalls, and four interactive workshops. The art exhibition was curated under the broad theme Accessible Aesthetics: Art for All, suggesting that everybody regardless of their socio-physical conditions deserves to have equal access to art.
The Empowered Committee for Differently Abled Persons (ECDAP), University of Hyderabad, received a special delegate invitation to participate in the inclusive art exhibition. Accordingly, the ECDAP facilitated a group of students with disabilities to take part in the event, which is a rare occurrence for accessible art enthusiasts. The differently abled students who visited the art site said it was a unique experience for them, as they got an opportunity to feel the world’s most acclaimed paintings such as the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci through tactile touch and audio description. On exhibit are also the paintings and other art pieces designed by people with disabilities including those with blindness.
The inclusive art exhibition conducted by IIT Hyderabad and Maqaam Foundation this time in Hyderabad is a proud moment for UoH as its visually impaired alumni were seen in major roles. The art exhibit began with the keynote address by Dr. Hemachandran Kara, currently associate Professor at IIT madras. The inaugural ceremony was followed by a live performance and demonstrative interaction that showcased Umashankar Veeravalli – a former student of SN school.
The accessible aesthetics exhibit also saw the active participation of the major heavyweights in disability studies. Ms. Subha Ranganathan of IIT Hyderabad (the coordinator of the exhibition), Ms. Bindulakshmi (formerly with the TISS, Mumbai), Ms. Deepa Palaniappan of Azim Premji University are few to name. Mr. N. Annavaram, UoH, a disability rights advocate and policy consultant for various government advisory bodies, non-governmental organisations present in the inaugural event.
Ms. Bodapati Kanchana, a student of Master of Business Administration-UoH shared her experience “This unique exhibition was specially designed for persons with visual impairment, making art more accessible through audio descriptions, QR codes and tactile artworks, allowing visitors to feel and identify the art pieces. It was truly inspiring to see how innovation and creativity can break barriers.”
Mr. Harish Yadav, a student of M. A. Economics (UoH) told “When it comes to accessibility, people think only in terms of mobile or web application environment or public spaces/offices. Whereas, accessibility for all even in arts is a wonderful and admired thought. It inspired me to contribute something for inclusion.”
Ms. Gopi Tejaswi, a student of M. A. Political Science (UoH) told “The experience was both inspiring and empowering, reaffirming that art is for everyone, regardless of visual ability. We extend our heartfelt thanks to ECDAP, and university authorities for facilitating this visit.”