“I moved to Hyderabad in 2015 to study B.Tech. At the time, it felt like the practical thing to do—something everyone expected. But even as I sat through engineering classes, my mind would wander to colours, lines, and shapes. I’d be doodling in the corners of notebooks, lost in my own world of sketches.
Art wasn’t just a hobby for me. It was the only thing that ever made me feel fully alive. And the more I tried to suppress it, the louder it pulled me back.
By the time I was in my second year, I realised I couldn’t go on pretending. I didn’t want to just finish a degree—I wanted to do something that meant something to me. Switching to Fine Arts wasn’t an easy decision. There was fear, self-doubt, and a lot of silence from people who didn’t understand why someone would leave engineering to “just paint.” My family was unsure too. But once they saw the commitment in me—the way I breathed art every single day—they slowly came around. That quiet acceptance was all I needed.
Joining JNAFAU, Masab Tank, changed the course of my life. For the first time, I was in a space where expression was everything. Surrounded by artists, mentors, and an atmosphere that welcomed curiosity, I started exploring my voice. I experimented with mediums, lost myself in long hours of painting, and found a sense of freedom I’d never known before. I still remember the day my work was exhibited at the Nehru Art Gallery. Standing there, watching people engage with something I’d poured my heart into—that moment stayed with me.
After college, I began taking on commissioned work and design projects. Slowly, walls started becoming my canvas. And now, being part of the Hyderabad Beautification Project feels unreal. To see the city transform with brushstrokes—to leave behind stories on its walls—that’s the kind of art I’ve always dreamed of.
At Hitec City Flyover, we painted the possibilities of the future—AI, robotics, technology. At Kothaguda Underpass, we paid our respects to the Indian Army—their courage, discipline, and silent sacrifices.
On Kothaguda Flyover, we brought out themes of travel and adventure, of cultures meeting and journeys unfolding. And at Ayyappa Society’s 100 Feet Road Underpass, we captured the chaos and charm of Hyderabad’s bazaars—bold, messy, full of life.
Every mural we paint is a story. Every wall holds memories, emotions, and a chance to connect with strangers who pause for a moment to look up.
I don’t want to keep my art behind glass. I want it out there—in markets, on flyovers, across towns—where anyone can see it and feel something. I want to travel, keep learning, and let every experience brush against my work. More than anything, I want my art to make people stop, feel, and remember that beauty exists around us, even in the most ordinary corners.”
— Prem Esram
Visual Artist | Designer