Majid outlined the impact of the 1946 Telangana communist uprising, describing it as a formative movement that challenged feudal structures and altered the region’s political consciousness. He then referred to the linguistic reorganization of states in 1956 and the formation of Andhra Pradesh, noting how administrative changes affected Hyderabad’s social and regional dynamics. The talk also covered the first phase of the Telangana movement and its revival in the late 2000s, which eventually led to Telangana becoming a separate state.A significant portion of the session focused on the Bachelor’s Quarters in Nampally, which Majid identified as important cultural spaces during the Nizam era. Originally intended as shared accommodation for single men, they became informal shelters for artists, including singers, ghazal performers, poets, comedians and stage artists. Many artists lived and worked in these spaces, facilitating collaboration and sustaining artistic practice.Majid noted that performers from the Bachelor’s Quarters were frequently invited to perform at Nizam-era courts and private gatherings, where they were paid. Situated near administrative and cultural centres, the quarters enabled frequent interaction between artists and patrons, thereby promoting the dissemination of music, poetry, and performances throughout the city.By highlighting the role of such everyday spaces, Majid illustrated how cultural communities contributed to preserving Hyderabad’s artistic traditions alongside major political developments. The session underscored the interconnectedness of social history and cultural practice in shaping Hyderabad’s historical legacy.
