Project Narrative
Tucked into the first floor of a commercial building in Hyderabad, Telusa is not merely a restaurant- it is a cultural inquiry rendered in space. Designed by Hyderabad-based architecture and design firm Fellow Yellow, helmed by Geethu Gangadharan and Sreyas Vidhu, this 5,000 sqft. project reimagines Telugu heritage through a contemporary spatial lens. Rather than beginning with cuisine, Telusa begins with language. In Telugu, telusa means “do you know?”- a question that is neither declarative nor conclusive, but open-ended. It is this spirit of curiosity that becomes the foundation of the space.
From the moment one enters, the restaurant establishes an atmosphere of intimacy and reverence. Dark flooring and rich timber surfaces are softened by carefully choreographed pools of warm light, directing attention to crafted details much like a screen in dark mode highlights what matters most. At the entrance, figures adorned in Kalamkari, Ikat, and gold appear mid-conversation, embodying the cultural continuum of Andhra, Telangana, and Rayalaseema. Hovering above is a striking seven-foot Nimmalakunta leather chandelier, created in collaboration with national award-winning artisan Dr. Dalavai Kullayappa. Rooted in the traditions of leather puppetry, the chandelier becomes both a functional light source and a symbolic bearer of illumination.
At the heart of the restaurant stands a monumental central pillar inspired by the Kakatiya columns of Warangal Fort. Rising from basalt stone flooring, it anchors the space with a sense of permanence and lineage. The journey towards this core is intentionally meditative- guided by terracotta pots beneath a lotus-inspired ceiling whose concentric rings subtly draw visitors inward, encouraging pause, gathering, and conversation. As one moves further in, the palette lightens, giving way to soft wood finishes and walls animated with Kondapalli toys, evoking nostalgia and a sense of homecoming. Lantern-inspired lighting reinforces this warmth, bridging memory and modernity.
The bar introduces a deliberate contrast. A vivid red Kalamkari-inspired chandelier crowns the island, where polished silverware and glassware catch the light with theatrical clarity. A panoramic window frames the Hyderabad skyline, serving as the only visual reminder of the city beyond- an intentional pause between cultural immersion and contemporary urban life.
This dialogue between scale and storytelling culminates in the Private Dining Room, where 15-foot-tall Cheriyal paintings dominate the space. Comprising thirty hand-drawn, naturally dyed panels, these works- commissioned from national award-winning artist Shri Rakesh Varma- celebrate everyday Telugu life without spectacle for spectacle’s sake. Here, art is not ornament but narrative.
Across Telusa, singular monumental elements coexist with clusters of smaller crafted objects, reflecting the many voices that shape Telugu culture. Nothing here is decorative in isolation; every element contributes to a larger cultural choreography. As guests leave- often later than planned- the space gently returns them to the question it first posed: Telusa? Do you know?
From the moment one enters, the restaurant establishes an atmosphere of intimacy and reverence. Dark flooring and rich timber surfaces are softened by carefully choreographed pools of warm light, directing attention to crafted details much like a screen in dark mode highlights what matters most. At the entrance, figures adorned in Kalamkari, Ikat, and gold appear mid-conversation, embodying the cultural continuum of Andhra, Telangana, and Rayalaseema. Hovering above is a striking seven-foot Nimmalakunta leather chandelier, created in collaboration with national award-winning artisan Dr. Dalavai Kullayappa. Rooted in the traditions of leather puppetry, the chandelier becomes both a functional light source and a symbolic bearer of illumination.
At the heart of the restaurant stands a monumental central pillar inspired by the Kakatiya columns of Warangal Fort. Rising from basalt stone flooring, it anchors the space with a sense of permanence and lineage. The journey towards this core is intentionally meditative- guided by terracotta pots beneath a lotus-inspired ceiling whose concentric rings subtly draw visitors inward, encouraging pause, gathering, and conversation. As one moves further in, the palette lightens, giving way to soft wood finishes and walls animated with Kondapalli toys, evoking nostalgia and a sense of homecoming. Lantern-inspired lighting reinforces this warmth, bridging memory and modernity.
The bar introduces a deliberate contrast. A vivid red Kalamkari-inspired chandelier crowns the island, where polished silverware and glassware catch the light with theatrical clarity. A panoramic window frames the Hyderabad skyline, serving as the only visual reminder of the city beyond- an intentional pause between cultural immersion and contemporary urban life.
This dialogue between scale and storytelling culminates in the Private Dining Room, where 15-foot-tall Cheriyal paintings dominate the space. Comprising thirty hand-drawn, naturally dyed panels, these works- commissioned from national award-winning artist Shri Rakesh Varma- celebrate everyday Telugu life without spectacle for spectacle’s sake. Here, art is not ornament but narrative.
Across Telusa, singular monumental elements coexist with clusters of smaller crafted objects, reflecting the many voices that shape Telugu culture. Nothing here is decorative in isolation; every element contributes to a larger cultural choreography. As guests leave- often later than planned- the space gently returns them to the question it first posed: Telusa? Do you know?
457 words
