Hyderabad: The Tourism Committee of the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) has announced the winners of the “Telangana Through the Lens – 2026” photography contest.
The open contest aimed to showcase Telangana’s diverse and lesser-explored tourism potential. Its theme was “Explore, Experience and Exhibit the Spirit of Telangana Tourism.”
The contest invited photography enthusiasts from different backgrounds to capture Telangana’s tourism appeal. It was organised to mark World Photography Day and encourage photographers to highlight lesser-known tourism destinations.
The response was strong, with more than 1,400 submissions from 554 photographers. Entries highlighted different aspects of the state’s landscapes, heritage, culture and tourism attractions.
Shravan Thadanla, a photographer with S1 Studios, won the first prize. Mahimala Kyadhar Reddy secured the second prize, while H. Satish won the third prize.
Shravan runs S1 Studio in Ramappa Village in Mulugu district. His winning photograph featured Cheriyal painting, a folk art tradition native to Telangana that faces the risk of extinction.
The seven consolation prize winners are Kishore Das, Kathroju Yadagiri, Vonteddu Nageswara Rao, Basheer, Tula Narendar, Aavula Srinivasulu and Veeragoni Rajinikanth Goud.
Their photographs presented different aspects of Telangana’s tourism landscape. In particular, the entries highlighted the state’s visual richness and lesser-known attractions.
Telangana photography contest highlights hidden tourism gems
The jury included landscape photographer Yachendra Satyaprasad, who served as president of the Telangana Photographic Society for several years. Former The Hindu chief news photo journalist H. Satish and K.N. Hari (Narahari K.) also served on the jury.
Hari is a photojournalist with the Telugu daily Nava Telangana. He also serves as general secretary of the Telangana State Photo Journalists Association (TSPJA).
The contest offers cash prizes for the top winners. The first prize carries ₹15,000, while the second and third prizes carry ₹10,000 and ₹7,500, respectively.
In addition, the contest includes consolation prizes of ₹1,500 each. FTCCI said the cash prizes will be presented at a function on 28 September at its Red Hills premises.
FTCCI has encouraged photographers to look beyond Telangana’s familiar tourist destinations. The organisation wants participants to document hidden gems, unexplored locations and lesser-known heritage sites.
It has also highlighted distinctive cultural practices, rural experiences and picturesque landscapes as subjects worthy of greater visibility. Through the contest, FTCCI seeks to use photography to discover and promote new tourism possibilities across Telangana.
