Meet the collective in Hyderabad using art for public dialogue

A site-specific installation of a thotella—the traditional decorative structures carried in procession during the Bonalu festival in Telangana—now greets passers-by in Budwel, near Rajendra Nagar in Hyderabad. Adorned with old photos and framed images of deities, the structure turns ritual remnants into an artwork.

The installation was created by art students and their teacher, Biluka Nirmala of the Newwave Art Collective (NWAC). The idea came from noticing the debris discarded after festivals. “We wondered if we could make art from those beautiful structures,” Biluka recalls.

But recycling waste was only part of the intention. The group also wanted people to stop, look and ask questions. “When passers-by asked what it was about, we spoke to them about environmental responsibility and the need to protect our water bodies,” she says.

Community engagement

Working at the site
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The collective aims to redefine contemporary art, foster community engagement and use its work to spark social change. The group includes former students of Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) and Hyderabad Central University (HCU).

“The collective thrives as a mentor–mentee group,” smiles Biluka, an assistant professor in the department of painting at JNAFAU. “Since we share similar ideas, we wanted to create public awareness and dialogue around social issues—gender, equality, ecological crisis, as well as caste, community and identity—through our artistic practice.”

NWAC hopes to move art beyond the confines of the “white-cube gallery” and engage directly with public spaces and everyday communities. “Through this interaction with places and people, we want to offer fresh perspectives on art-making and build meaningful connections with the common citizen.”

Their work extends to site-specific installations, public performances, workshops, talks, publications and open conversations.

Work by Anukya Katuku
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The idea of forming a collective dates back to 2023, when the group—symbolically called M17, after the pistol used by the US armed forces—saw art as a way to spark a radical movement. The initiative, however, was short-lived as some members moved out of Hyderabad. In 2025, the group regrouped with new members and a new name.

Members pose with the completed installation
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The collective is set to hold its first exhibition, Pedagogy as Practice, at the State Art Gallery in Madhapur. “I wanted to showcase the work of young artists, especially my students, and the kind of pedagogy I practice,” says Biluka, who will also present a new body of serigraphy works. “Telangana art is often understood in a certain way, but this show pushes contemporary practice forward.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to run the collective more like a foundation, with a fellowship programme. “We want it to be collaborative and supportive, so students can create the work they truly want to make.”

Published – March 05, 2026 11:47 am IST