Beyond Hyderabad is building a thriving community for arts, music, trekking and heritage enthusiasts

Beyond Hyderabad (BH) offers diverse experiences through curated events celebrating art, music, food, and heritage in Hyderabad.

Think of Hyderabad, and one immediately associates it with the burgeoning rise of curated events celebrating art, music, food, and heritage. Beyond Hyderabad (BH) is one such group offering diverse experiences and fostering a community of enthusiasts, one meetup at a time. The 2,000-member group was launched in April 2023 by tech professionals and nature lovers, Anwesh Goda, Kuna Sandeep, and Harish S. “Our aim is to explore something beyond what Hyderabad is typically known for,” says Harish, a former employee of Computer Associates (CA) India.

BH’s story is intertwined with Harish’s introduction to art in 2017. One day, he sprinkled a few drops of alcohol-based inks onto Yupo Synthetic paper—imported by his brother from Japan for distribution — and used his breath to manoeuvre the inks. “I was amazed at how easily I could create patterns and produce a painting,” recalls Harish, who had no prior experience with art.

Inspired, he collaborated with his chemical engineering friends to manufacture inks and co-founded Beyond Inks in 2019 with his former colleague Gayatri Gupta. Encouraged by the rising online sales of alcohol inks, particularly during COVID-19, Harish also explored resin art and watercolour inks. “We set up stalls at flea markets and met many hobby artists and enthusiasts who shared how our inks had helped them discover their passion for art,” he adds.

Harish met Anwesh Goda and Kuna Sandeep during a casual gathering on a terrace, where they bonded over their shared love for trekking. The nature enthusiasts-turned-friends began spending their weekends exploring new places in and around Hyderabad, a city witnessing the rise of creative communities in music, heritage, and the arts. “I spoke to Anwesh about starting an art community, but he suggested creating a group that blends trekking, art, music, and heritage activities, as they are all interconnected,” recalls Harish.

While heritage walks are conducted by Md Haseeb, the group collaborates with the Government of Telangana, T-Works to host Maker Faire Hyderabad, and other organisations such as Nation’s Rock Beat, Hyderabad Cycling Revolution, and various art galleries.

The nearly two-year journey has been a fulfilling one. “Meetups in Hyderabad often focus on one specific art form, but our forte lies in being a collective that brings together different art forms,” explains Harish. The group’s activity calendar for 2025 is well-planned, aiming to deliver diverse experiences for its members. “We hope to establish a signature event, akin to the Kala Ghoda festival in Mumbai or Chitra Santhe in Bengaluru,” Harish says.