![\"Prerna](\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/theme\/images\/th-online\/1x1_spacer.png\" "\\"Prerna")
<\/picture><\/div>\nSecunderabad\u2019s old-world charm gets a cultural boost with Platform 51, a new arts destination in Vikrampuri Colony, Karkhana, bringing music, theatre and art closer to home.<\/p>\n
Community-driven space<\/h4>\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/a11awh\/article71692485.ece\/alternates\/FREE_1200\/platform5.jpg\" "\\"The")
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The space is surrounded by trees
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\n Special Arrangement\n <\/p>\n
Set in a four-decade-old house in a quiet residential neighbourhood, the space is surrounded by trees and retains its architectural character. It is being reimagined as a multicultural hub with a caf\u00e9, amphitheatre and banquet hall. \u201cPlatform 51 will be a community-driven space focused on healing through art forms such as music, pottery and painting,\u201d says co-founder Prerna Kirthi.<\/p>\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/9gpmgh\/article71359736.ece\/alternates\/SQUARE_80\/improv-jayashree.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFor Kriti, Secunderabad is more than a location. At a time when West Hyderabad, with its IT offices and rapid development, is seen as the city\u2019s growth centre, she has consciously chosen to return to her roots. \u201cMy biggest inspiration has been my principal, Yogendra Guruwara of Sherwood Public School, who gave me the roots to stay grounded and the wings to fly. I dream of travelling across the world, but want to return to my roots in Secunderabad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Challenging journey<\/h4>\n\n![\"Exposed](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/snu0dv\/article71692487.ece\/alternates\/FREE_1200\/platform4.jpg\" "\\"Exposed")
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Exposed brick retains the building\u2019s raw texture and architectural character
\n | Photo Credit:
\n Special Arrangement\n <\/p>\n
Platform 51 has been a challenging journey for Prerna, who works at a design college in the city. The idea emerged during a theatre workshop, when she envisioned a caf\u00e9 and a space for activities promoting mental and physical well-being.<\/p>\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/life-and-style\/x4oce4\/article71677334.ece\/alternates\/SQUARE_80\/%E2%80%98The%20Ramayana%E2%80%99%20as%20a%20typeface.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nShe leased the property in February 2025, but was left with the financial and operational burden when investors pulled out. Architect and theatre director RK Shenoy eventually stepped in as investor and co-founder. \u201cI wanted to give up, but RK instilled hope,\u201d recalls Prerna.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you’re invested in a project, you believe in it and work hard to make it happen. Neither of us knows how to swim, but we took the plunge because I believed in her resolve,\u201d says Shenoy, founder of ARKA Design Studio and Dramanon theatre group.<\/p>\n
Textured effect<\/h4>\n\n![\"Though](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/5nqqk4\/article71692493.ece\/alternates\/FREE_1200\/platform1.jpg\" "\\"Though")
<\/div>\n\n
Though the space has not officially launched, live performances are taking place
\n | Photo Credit:
\n Special Arrangement\n <\/p>\n
Renovation began in February this year, with demolition taking three months. Built on rock, the house\u2019s natural elevation lends itself to dramatic, multi-level spaces<\/a>. Shenoy reused broken tiles, reopened sealed walls and exposed brick to retain the building\u2019s raw texture and architectural character.<\/p>\nThe 700-square-feet performance space, with a stage and green room, accommodates 51 people, giving the venue its name. Its 50-cm-thick walls, with exposed brick and textured patterns, act as natural sound diffusers, eliminating the need for microphones. \u201cPlastic chairs reflect sound, which is why venues use absorbing materials. Here, the walls diffuse sound naturally, making it a space where performers don\u2019t need mics,\u201d says Shenoy.<\/p>\n
Though not officially open yet, Platform 51 has hosted events, while trial runs help iron out operational issues. Plays and a Sufi night are also planned. \u201cThe objective is to create a space to explore and experiment with art forms and discover meaning in creative ways. The idea is to get people off their phones and into the space,\u201d says Shenoy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n
The space is surrounded by trees
\n | Photo Credit:
\n Special Arrangement\n <\/p>\n
Set in a four-decade-old house in a quiet residential neighbourhood, the space is surrounded by trees and retains its architectural character. It is being reimagined as a multicultural hub with a caf\u00e9, amphitheatre and banquet hall. \u201cPlatform 51 will be a community-driven space focused on healing through art forms such as music, pottery and painting,\u201d says co-founder Prerna Kirthi.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFor Kriti, Secunderabad is more than a location. At a time when West Hyderabad, with its IT offices and rapid development, is seen as the city\u2019s growth centre, she has consciously chosen to return to her roots. \u201cMy biggest inspiration has been my principal, Yogendra Guruwara of Sherwood Public School, who gave me the roots to stay grounded and the wings to fly. I dream of travelling across the world, but want to return to my roots in Secunderabad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Challenging journey<\/h4>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
Exposed brick retains the building\u2019s raw texture and architectural character
\n | Photo Credit:
\n Special Arrangement\n <\/p>\n
Platform 51 has been a challenging journey for Prerna, who works at a design college in the city. The idea emerged during a theatre workshop, when she envisioned a caf\u00e9 and a space for activities promoting mental and physical well-being.<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nShe leased the property in February 2025, but was left with the financial and operational burden when investors pulled out. Architect and theatre director RK Shenoy eventually stepped in as investor and co-founder. \u201cI wanted to give up, but RK instilled hope,\u201d recalls Prerna.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you’re invested in a project, you believe in it and work hard to make it happen. Neither of us knows how to swim, but we took the plunge because I believed in her resolve,\u201d says Shenoy, founder of ARKA Design Studio and Dramanon theatre group.<\/p>\n
Textured effect<\/h4>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
Though the space has not officially launched, live performances are taking place
\n | Photo Credit:
\n Special Arrangement\n <\/p>\n
Renovation began in February this year, with demolition taking three months. Built on rock, the house\u2019s natural elevation lends itself to dramatic, multi-level spaces<\/a>. Shenoy reused broken tiles, reopened sealed walls and exposed brick to retain the building\u2019s raw texture and architectural character.<\/p>\nThe 700-square-feet performance space, with a stage and green room, accommodates 51 people, giving the venue its name. Its 50-cm-thick walls, with exposed brick and textured patterns, act as natural sound diffusers, eliminating the need for microphones. \u201cPlastic chairs reflect sound, which is why venues use absorbing materials. Here, the walls diffuse sound naturally, making it a space where performers don\u2019t need mics,\u201d says Shenoy.<\/p>\n
Though not officially open yet, Platform 51 has hosted events, while trial runs help iron out operational issues. Plays and a Sufi night are also planned. \u201cThe objective is to create a space to explore and experiment with art forms and discover meaning in creative ways. The idea is to get people off their phones and into the space,\u201d says Shenoy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n
Exposed brick retains the building\u2019s raw texture and architectural character
\n | Photo Credit:
\n Special Arrangement\n <\/p>\n
Platform 51 has been a challenging journey for Prerna, who works at a design college in the city. The idea emerged during a theatre workshop, when she envisioned a caf\u00e9 and a space for activities promoting mental and physical well-being.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nShe leased the property in February 2025, but was left with the financial and operational burden when investors pulled out. Architect and theatre director RK Shenoy eventually stepped in as investor and co-founder. \u201cI wanted to give up, but RK instilled hope,\u201d recalls Prerna.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you’re invested in a project, you believe in it and work hard to make it happen. Neither of us knows how to swim, but we took the plunge because I believed in her resolve,\u201d says Shenoy, founder of ARKA Design Studio and Dramanon theatre group.<\/p>\n
Textured effect<\/h4>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
Though the space has not officially launched, live performances are taking place
\n | Photo Credit:
\n Special Arrangement\n <\/p>\n
Renovation began in February this year, with demolition taking three months. Built on rock, the house\u2019s natural elevation lends itself to dramatic, multi-level spaces<\/a>. Shenoy reused broken tiles, reopened sealed walls and exposed brick to retain the building\u2019s raw texture and architectural character.<\/p>\nThe 700-square-feet performance space, with a stage and green room, accommodates 51 people, giving the venue its name. Its 50-cm-thick walls, with exposed brick and textured patterns, act as natural sound diffusers, eliminating the need for microphones. \u201cPlastic chairs reflect sound, which is why venues use absorbing materials. Here, the walls diffuse sound naturally, making it a space where performers don\u2019t need mics,\u201d says Shenoy.<\/p>\n
Though not officially open yet, Platform 51 has hosted events, while trial runs help iron out operational issues. Plays and a Sufi night are also planned. \u201cThe objective is to create a space to explore and experiment with art forms and discover meaning in creative ways. The idea is to get people off their phones and into the space,\u201d says Shenoy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n
Though the space has not officially launched, live performances are taking place
\n | Photo Credit:
\n Special Arrangement\n <\/p>\n
Renovation began in February this year, with demolition taking three months. Built on rock, the house\u2019s natural elevation lends itself to dramatic, multi-level spaces<\/a>. Shenoy reused broken tiles, reopened sealed walls and exposed brick to retain the building\u2019s raw texture and architectural character.<\/p>\n The 700-square-feet performance space, with a stage and green room, accommodates 51 people, giving the venue its name. Its 50-cm-thick walls, with exposed brick and textured patterns, act as natural sound diffusers, eliminating the need for microphones. \u201cPlastic chairs reflect sound, which is why venues use absorbing materials. Here, the walls diffuse sound naturally, making it a space where performers don\u2019t need mics,\u201d says Shenoy.<\/p>\n Though not officially open yet, Platform 51 has hosted events, while trial runs help iron out operational issues. Plays and a Sufi night are also planned. \u201cThe objective is to create a space to explore and experiment with art forms and discover meaning in creative ways. The idea is to get people off their phones and into the space,\u201d says Shenoy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n