Taramati Baradari is about the legendary romance and the elegance of the Qutub Shah dynasty. Taramati was to Abdullah Qutub Shah, what Bhagmati was to his grandfather Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, the Founder
of Hyderabad. Abdullah Qutub Shah’s, the 7th Sultan of Golconda, epic love for his favorite courtesan, Taramati.
But for Taramati, the relatively lesser known singer-dancer, did not get the kind of honour what Bhagmati got when Mohammad Quli, who named the city of Hyderabad he founded in the Deccan after his lover.
All that Taramati could grange in her memory was an open pavilion, made of lime and mortar with a terraced garden, which had 12 doorways (baradari). It came to be known as the Taramati Baradari.
Abdullah used to enjoy Taramati’s song even while sitting in Golconda fort. Her melodious voice would be carried on the breeze, reaching the prince’s ear far away at the fort, thanks to the perfect acoustics in the structure as well as that of the fort. The baradari with 12 doorways were to allow cross ventilation, which was the most ingenuous arrangement at a time when there were no fans/air-conditioners.
We went on a Sunday when we was nibbling our feet, doing nothing and lazing out. We started at 4 o’ clock on way to gandipet for a ride, But on way, we saw this Punami Taramati Resturant sign board and wanted to grab a quick bite.
The beautiful complex actually caught my attention and we forgot that we were actual on way to gandipet and spend the entire evening and most of the nite at Taramati Baradiri. The complex is spread over a vast land at Ibrahimbagh, near Vasavi engineering college, on the way to Osmansagar and close to Golconda, might not have received much attention for a long time. I think the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) sensed the potential of the structure to draw tourists and has done a commendable job.
It has spacious parking lot. No Problems at all. An open air auditorium, which can seat 1,600 people, an air-cooled theatre that can fit in 500 persons banquet hall
The ’Punnami’ Multi Cuisine Restaurant is fully air-conditioned and is tastefully done up to provide facilities for dinner and for events to be performed. But food is just right. Nothing great. Don’t expect to get 3 star type of food. But nice cosy place to be left alone to grab a bite.
Saqi the bar sets mood to bring out the Omar Khayyam in the most drinking individual, especially the night environment. And I did not get in, I just peeked in.
The corporation has been using the Taramati Baradari complex as a venue for the Golconda Music and Dance Festival, the Taramati Music Festival, the Premavathi Dance Festival and other festivals with folk dances and arts from other parts of the country.
The view from the Baradiri is awesome especially of the Golconda fort and the surrounds as sun goes down. Most of our time was spend atop this baradiri until 8 PM. The structure looked equally beautiful after the lights were switched on, which were dancing and changing colors. It was great to see the structure display different shades. But Be careful during night as there could be problem of Bats flying in and out.
I felt like the Quli Qtud Shah King with my wife singing out some old hindi songs and when she ran out of breathe, we played FM radio to get the feel..... LOL
We spend a little time in the arts and crafts Shoppe located in the complex. Prices of the handicrafts were as usual. Don’t touch them. We did do, just window Shopping LOL. For kids there was
At least I wish to stay back for the night at least, but Monday was the next day, so I left the place with a promise to come back and stay at least three days at this quite a getaway in the city. Hey they do have accommodation there.