Mar – 2026: Ramadan Moonlit Photowalk with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani Hyderabad)
The year 2026 was becoming a remarkable chapter in the journey of ShutterSociety.HYD. One of our core missions has always been to bring the passion of photography into academia by creating real world learning experiences for students beyond the classroom. Following our collaborations with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) and Lakhotia College of Design, we were delighted to collaborate with Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus) for a special Ramadan Moonlit Photowalk through the vibrant streets of Hyderabad.
BITS Pilani is one of India’s most respected private institutions, known for its academic excellence, innovation, research, and vibrant student culture. Collaborating with such an institution was another proud milestone in the growing journey of ShutterSociety.HYD.
Education becomes even more meaningful when learning steps beyond the classroom and into the real world.
This collaboration actually began a month earlier.
The Photography Club coordinators from BITS Pilani had initially invited me to speak at one of their annual events. Unfortunately, because of my travel schedule and the short notice, I could not attend the session. During our conversation, however, I suggested a different idea.
Why not organize a joint photowalk instead?
The photography club student president immediately loved the idea. Since Ramadan was approaching, they shared that many of them wanted to experience Hyderabad during this beautiful season for the very first time. That conversation quickly evolved into planning a collaborative Ramadan Moonlit Photowalk where BITS Pilani students could explore the city alongside members of ShutterSociety.HYD, learning from experienced photographers while experiencing one of Hyderabad’s most vibrant cultural celebrations.
As the planning continued, one unexpected challenge appeared.
On the meetup date, both Mr. Sai Tejeshwar Rao and I were unavailable due to prior commitments outside Hyderabad. Instead of cancelling the collaboration, we looked towards our incredible volunteer team.
Without hesitation, Mr. Andy, Mr. Nagesh Karnul, and Mr. Cherry Mokka stepped forward to coordinate the entire meetup from start to finish.
To give them complete responsibility, we made them the WhatsApp Group Admins for this collaboration. From announcements and participant coordination to meeting points, communication, and on site management, every detail was handled by them with remarkable dedication.
This meetup became another beautiful reminder that ShutterSociety.HYD is not built by just a few organizers. It grows because passionate volunteers continue stepping forward whenever the community needs them.
Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking responsibility when it matters the most.
Planning a Ramadan photowalk around Charminar was never going to be easy. During the holy month of Ramadan, the entire Charminar area transforms into one of Hyderabad’s busiest places. Every evening, thousands of people gather around the historic streets for shopping, food, prayers, and Iftar, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the city. Walking even a few steps often becomes a challenge because of the incredible crowd.
Knowing this, Andy and Nagesh personally visited the area several days before the meetup.
Instead of assuming everything would work out, they carefully explored multiple meeting points, checked nearby parking facilities, identified quieter locations suitable for briefing participants, walked through different streets, and planned the safest routes for the photowalk. They even photographed the meeting location so participants could easily identify it on the meetup day.
Their dedication reflected exactly how every ShutterSociety.HYD meetup is planned.
Behind every successful event lies hours of preparation that most people never get to see.
Preparation is the silent work that makes every memorable experience possible.
Once every detail had been finalized, we officially announced the collaboration between ShutterSociety.HYD and BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus.
Watch our Official Collaboration Announcement here.
As expected, the response from our community was once again overwhelming. Soon, photographers from ShutterSociety.HYD and students from BITS Pilani prepared themselves for an evening unlike any ordinary photowalk, ready to experience the colours, emotions, traditions, and vibrant energy of Ramadan in the heart of Hyderabad.
As the evening arrived, everyone gathered at the designated meeting point, where BITS Pilani students and ShutterSociety.HYD members met for the very first time.
Before stepping into the busy streets, Andy, Nagesh Karnul, and Cherry welcomed everyone with a detailed briefing about the evening’s plan, the Ramadan celebrations around Charminar, important photography locations, safety guidelines, and how the entire photowalk would unfold.
Since many of the students were experiencing Hyderabad’s Ramadan atmosphere for the first time, our volunteers explained everything from the significance of Iftar to the busiest streets, prayer timings, food tables, and the best places to capture authentic moments without disturbing the celebrations.
Participants were also encouraged to stay in small mixed groups so that students could learn directly from experienced members of the community throughout the walk.
As the briefing concluded, the groups slowly entered the streets surrounding Charminar.
Within a few minutes, everyone understood why planning this meetup had been so important.
The best way to understand a place is to walk through it with people who know its stories.
The streets were overflowing with people.
Families, shoppers, food lovers, photographers, and worshippers filled every lane. Every few steps revealed another colourful stall, another smiling face, another beautiful frame waiting to be captured. Walking itself became part of the experience as thousands of people moved together through the vibrant Ramadan streets.
Yet despite the incredible crowd, the students embraced every moment with remarkable enthusiasm.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed, they eagerly explored every corner alongside ShutterSociety.HYD members, asking questions, experimenting with camera settings, discussing compositions, and capturing the unique atmosphere surrounding them.
As sunset slowly approached, Hyderabad transformed once again.
The golden evening light faded into glowing shop lights, colourful signboards, decorative lanterns, and the unmistakable energy of Ramadan nights. The sound of conversations mixed with the aroma of Haleem, kebabs, fresh fruits, and traditional sweets drifting through every street.
For many students, this was their very first opportunity to witness Hyderabad’s Ramadan culture so closely.
Every frame became more than a photograph.
It became a story.
Photography is not only about what we see. It is about understanding the lives unfolding around us.
As the time for Iftar approached, the atmosphere became even more emotional.
Families gathered together. Dates and water were prepared. Mosques slowly filled with worshippers.
Street vendors completed their final preparations while the entire neighbourhood paused for one of the most meaningful moments of the evening.
Our photographers quietly documented these beautiful scenes with respect, capturing the traditions, emotions, and togetherness that make Ramadan in Hyderabad such a unique cultural experience.
Knowledge grows best when it is shared freely.
Many students later shared that this was one of the most memorable parts of the entire photowalk.
Throughout the evening, experienced members of ShutterSociety.HYD continued guiding the students with camera settings, composition ideas, low light photography techniques, and street photography ethics.
Learning happened naturally while walking through the busy streets, exactly as we had always imagined when we spoke about bringing photography beyond the classroom.
As the evening slowly came to an end, the streets were still alive with people, but our cameras were now filled with stories from one of Hyderabad’s most vibrant nights. Before saying goodbye, participants shared their favourite moments, exchanged photographs, and reflected on everything they had experienced throughout the evening.
For many BITS Pilani students, this was far more than their first Ramadan Photowalk. It was their first opportunity to experience Hyderabad’s culture so closely while learning alongside a passionate photography community. Watching students and community members exchanging ideas until the very last moment reminded us exactly why these university collaborations have become such an important part of our journey.
The best learning doesn’t end when the walk is over. It begins with the conversations we carry home.
Looking back, this collaboration represented much more than a single evening of photography.
It reflected the very mission of ShutterSociety.HYD.
To take the passion of photography into academia.
To connect students with experienced photographers.
To encourage learning through real world experiences instead of limiting creativity to classrooms alone.
Every university collaboration reminds us that the next generation of photographers grows strongest when knowledge, experience, and community come together.
Learning is not achieved by chance, it must be sought with passion and practiced with purpose. — Abigail Adams
Our heartfelt thanks to the Photography Club of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus) for collaborating with ShutterSociety.HYD and making this wonderful evening possible.
A very special appreciation goes to Mr. Andy, Mr. Nagesh Karnul, and Mr. Cherry Mokka, who stepped forward and managed the entire meetup with exceptional dedication while we were away. From planning the locations and coordinating participants to ensuring the smooth execution of the event, they truly reflected the spirit of volunteer leadership that keeps our community growing.
We are equally grateful to every BITS Pilani student, every ShutterSociety.HYD member, and every volunteer who made this collaboration such a memorable success.
We carried new friendships, shared experiences, and another reminder that when passion is shared, learning has no boundaries.
