Long before modern water tanks and pipelines became common, stepwells played an important role in communities across Telangana. Beyond storing water, these structures reflected the architecture and craftsmanship of their time and served as gathering spaces. Many now receive little public attention, and a new initiative hopes to change that by bringing art and cultural activities into these historic sites.
Giving historic stepwells a new purpose, Baoli Art Sangam, founded by Kalpana Ramesh of The Rainwater Project and Annapurna M. of EkChitra, plans to bring art installations, performances and cultural activities to these heritage sites across Telangana through what its organisers describe as the world’s first Stepwell Art Biennale.
Scheduled for December 1, 2026, to January 10, 2027, the proposed event will also feature traditional crafts, culinary experiences and public discussions. By bringing artists, researchers and local communities together at historic stepwell sites, the initiative aims to encourage public interest in their heritage and highlight their role in traditional water management.
What to know about Baoli Art Sangam
- Art and heritage: Installations, performances and cultural activities at historic stepwells.
- Project Shakti: A programme recognising women’s historical role in building and maintaining water systems.
- Allu Sneha Reddy joins the initiative: She was announced as the face of Baoli Art Sangam and Chairperson for Culture and Heritage.
- A state-level festival in the making: Telangana Tourism and Culture Secretary Vani Prasad expressed support for developing the initiative into a recurring festival.
Kalpana Ramesh, an architect and environmentalist known for her work in rainwater harvesting and traditional water systems, said partnerships between heritage tourism and local communities could help conservation efforts reach more sites.
“The power of heritage-led tourism and community-led conservation gives this initiative the institutional strength it needs to grow beyond one baoli, one city, or one restoration,” she said.
Project Shakti aims to recognise women’s historical role in commissioning and maintaining wells, tanks and other water structures, while encouraging them to take a leading role in the revival and conservation of stepwells today.
“We want to bring that language back, not as history alone, but as a living movement,” Kalpana added.
Vani Prasad, Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Government of Telangana, noted that the initiative highlights the state’s stepwell heritage and the importance of treating water as a shared responsibility. She also expressed support for developing Baoli Art Sangam into a recurring state-level festival.
Annapurna M., Artistic Director of EkChitra Gallery, said the biennale could encourage people to visit restored stepwells and learn more about their cultural significance.
For Baoli Art Sangam, the challenge will be to turn public interest into sustained engagement with these sites. Alongside artistic activities, conservation and community participation will be important to ensuring that stepwells remain valued for both their heritage and their role in traditional water management.
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