In Hyderabad, rocks that resemble an elephant and a one-eyed gentleman

A virtual photography exhibition to mark the 25th anniversary of Society to Save Rocks presents a ringside view of rocks of Telangana and the Deccan

In a photograph taken by Sathya Prakash, member of Hyderabad-based Society to Save Rocks, the HITEC City stands tall. The landmark constructed 22 years ago marked the beginning of the IT boom and the formation of Cyberabad. Also warranting attention in the photograph is a majestic rock. “This boulder has been around for 2500 million years, dwarfing the two-decade-old HITEC City and the 400+ year city of Hyderabad,” Sathya Prakash points out, in his presentation during the inauguration of the virtual photo exhibition ‘Rocks Matter’. Rocks Matter commemorates the 25th anniversary of Society to Save Rocks, in collaboration with Goethe Zentrum Hyderabad. Curated by photographers and Society members Sangeeta Varma and Ashok Kumar Vootla, the exhibition features 73 images by 13 photographers in seven categories — unique rock formations, recreation and rocks, rocks and water bodies, flora and fauna in rocks, rocks and religious places, destruction of rocks and rocks integrated into living spaces.