“Imagine the courtyards of yesteryear, when people stepped out of their homes to sip chai, unwind, strike up conversations and forge a genuine connection,” says Dheeraj Chhipa, looking around Prangan in Hyderabad. Located five kilometres from Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) in Rajendra Nagar, the café, whose name means ‘courtyard’ in Sanskrit, officially launches on September 11. Surrounded by greenery, Prangan embraces that old spirit of gathering and lingering. “Only instead of chai, we have coffees and snacks.”
Shiva Charla and Dheeraj Chhipa
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Special Arrangement
Co-founded by Dheeraj and Shiva Charla, Prangan is envisioned as an independent space showcasing curated work by established and emerging artists. Prangan is located within Banyan Arts Studio, owned by Dheeraj’s father, senior artist Chhipa Sudhakar. One half of the studio houses printmaking and painting facilities and hosts artist residencies, while the other, once resembling a farm with its abundance of trees and greenery, has been transformed into the new art space. “No trees were cut for Prangan. The pathway was developed around the existing trees,” says Dheeraj as he walks towards Prangan, adding that this open showcase platform will be home to permanent exhibits, residencies and masterclasses, and a destination for collectors, corporate clients and a curious audience.
Chhipa Sudhakar
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Special Arrangement
Ceramic art studio
Chhipa Sudhakar is visibly delighted as walks around the Banyan Arts Studio with a smile. While he is thrilled as an artist to see an independent art space come up within the premises, he is also pleased with the launch of a ceramic art studio two months ago. “”The studio is a printmaking and painting hub and the only thing missing was the ceramic studio which we have launched now.”
According to Sudhakar, ceramic artists from pottery roots are rare in Hyderabad. Talking about the Studio’s exchange programme with WooMA Art Museum in South Korea, he says, Two young artists – Gayathri and Manasa went to WooMAa in September 2025 and now two artistes from WooMa will come to the studio on October 12 for an artist-in-residence program. “This collaborative initiative will foster professional and creative growth.”
Artist-in residence
It has been a month since Abhishek Joshi from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh has been living in Banyan Arts Studio. The ceramic artist, who came to the studio as part of the artist residency, has been experimenting with ceramics. Having learnt ceramic art from accomplished ceramist Rakhee Kane at Auroville near Puducherry Abhishek wants to build ceramic into a sustainable life practice.
Surrounded by mango, neem, mulberry, water apple and dragon fruit trees, the pathway is dotted with sculptures created by young artists from the residency programs, who also conduct the ceramic art workshops for students, enthusiasts, artists and corporates.
View of the gallery
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Special Arrangement
The 1,500-square-foot gallery, housed in a spacious hall, can also transform into a multicultural space for intimate gatherings of around 50 people, hosting book launches, cultural programmes and art events. Prangan’s garden offers an ideal setting for outdoor gatherings and cultural exchange, while visitors can step out for snacks and coffee served in handcrafted ceramic mugs made at the on-site ceramic art studio.
Participant makes a handcrafted rose at a session
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Special Arrangement
Prangan brings people closer to art, says curator Aman Preet Kaur, who developed its artistic and cultural programming. “Different experiences such as visiting an exhibition, participating in a clay workshop, spending time in the studio, meeting an artist, gathering for an event, or simply enjoying time at the café are intended to coexist and create a more informal and accessible relationship with art.” The aim, she says, is to create an immersive experience that encourages artistic exchange and reflection. A member of the Banyan Arts Panel, she also selects young artists for its residency programmes.
Pathway is dotted with trees
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Special Arrangement
“Participants experience and learn every stage of the ceramic making process – from preparing the clay, kneading, crafting a pot on the wheel, glazing and firing it – here. They can also interact with residency artists, clear doubts and explore the medium.”
With plans to add a small library and a studio space for artists, the team hopes Prangan will help nurture Hyderabad’s growing creative ecosystem.
Prangan is to launch on September 11 with Strangers Project, a group exhibition featuring five Korean artists and is presented in collaboration with WooMa Museum of Art and Banyan Art Studio.
Published – September 10, 2026 12:11 pm IST
