Even a brief glance at AD100 Sona Reddy’s oeuvre reveals her penchant for crafting evocative spaces championing raw materiality. This Hyderabad restaurant, born from the terrains of Telangana and aptly named Terrāi, takes the core of the design studio a step further, encapsulating the essence of the state that left behind its Andhra legacy to establish its identity.
Helmed by restaurateur Rohit Kasuganti and wife Anisha Deevakonda of the Telangana Spice Kitchen (TSK) fame, at Terrāi’s heart lies a desire to express the authenticity of Telangana: from the food brought to the table and the spaces one experiences to the art that adorns the walls and the finer details the eyes land upon. For Reddy, this meant a deep dive into the annals of Telangana’s rich culture, which comes not (only) from the widely known Nizami and Persian influences—as evidenced by the ever-popular biryanis of the capital city Hyderabad—but exists as tales passed down in the small villages tucked away in the interiors, marking stories of heritage trickling down through generations in what are increasingly becoming memories not widely known and lost in the past. What emerged was a layered and immersive history grounded in the local context, through art, textiles, festivities and materials.
Housed within an existing site in a corporate building, the warmth of Terrāi lies in sharp contrast with its sterile exterior, already enveloping visitors with a sense of comfort as they enter. With a lack of control over existing column positions—which existed to service an office layout more than a restaurant—Reddy’s approach to the spatial configuration creatively integrates the oddly-placed structural members to divide the restaurant into four broad sections. “We also wanted to create distinct atmospheres within this large 8,500-square-foot space, adding variety and breaking the monotony of the vast area,” she explains. This manifests as a main dining hall, an al-fresco space enveloped in glass, an intimate dining hall and a private gathering space which can accommodate up to 40 guests. Details such as gold ceilings and stretch canvas lights in the dining hall and an ikat-patterned ceiling in the private room further juxtapose the sterility of its setting.
But apart from this, it is also the striking colour palette and the deliberate material choices that curate the warmth here. A composition of black granite and Kota stone anchors the space, complemented by the unmistakable earthiness of swathes of textured terracotta-toned walls—an ode to the houses in Telangana’s villages.
But as Reddy elaborates, the design’s hidden poignancy lies in the depths of its thoughtful details, which go far beyond the initially striking visual palette and expansive volumes. Dhokra metal finds contemporary reinterpretation as art, as does the delicate pattern of Ikat, which, once whimsically takes over the ceiling and at other times, delicately and playfully announces its presence as bas-relief mouldings and tetris-like tiling along columns. Abstract stained glass windows play with the light filtering into these spaces, bringing forth a dreamy atmosphere where one can submerge themselves into these distinct, fascinating aesthetic twists on traditional elements. Wood and metal act as an omnipresent backdrop, while pops of fresh greens reconnect back to the outdoors even in the cosiest of indoor corners. Contemporary stone cutlery and repurposed historic doors with keen thought put into even the smallest details such as the handles complete the experience.
Among all these however, for Reddy, the use of Bathukamma-inspired lights serves as the strongest tie to Telangana’s culture. The floral festival is one of the biggest in the state, named Bathukamma which roughly translates to ‘festival of life’ after the celebration hosted in honour of the goddess’ blessing for the crop harvest. "These lights embody that celebratory and grateful spirit, while bringing the entire space to life” explains Reddy. Walls adorned with framed Narahari Bhawandla’s miniature art prints add to the exquisite details, while in the more intimate dining hall, large photographs by Bharath Varma beautifully showcase local farmers in their natural setting. In creating a distinct and memorable experience through both cuisine and atmosphere, Terrāi succeeds in becoming a landmark Hyderabad restaurant that deserves an immediate visit.
