Osmania University and Art College – the two names spell magic. They evoke memories of history for yesteryear generations; they evoke memories enchanting experiences for the young generations; and they evoke an irresistible admiration for the design enthusiasts- for their sheer architectural grandeur.
The Arts College, which particularly symbolises OU’s grandeur, had been in all the more radiance recently, having been projected upon it’s own history- thanks to a very commendable collaboration among a group of audio-visual minds.
AV consultancy firm Rhino Engineers, Content creative firm Knownsense, systems integration firm AuraBright and projection system solutions provider Christie digital made a hisotry of sorts at the historic site. An SIA exclusive:
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Located in Hyderabad, Osmania University is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education. The university undertook this large-scale nighttime spectacle to celebrate and preserve its rich history, and foster pride and appreciation for its heritage among students, faculty, and visitors. The project is designed to enhance the educational experience by offering an innovative and engaging way to explore Osmania University’s journey since its founding in 1917.
The historic as well as the iconic building of Arts College was chosen for this grand and ambitious initiative.
Ahmedabad-based Aura Bright Light India Pvt Ltd integrated the project and was instrumental in bringing this amazing display to reality. Its expertise in integrating advanced AV technologies with historic architecture ensured a seamless blend of modern visuals with the university’s history.
Aura Bright Light India meticulously managed the installation, testing, and commissioning of the Christie DWU23-HS projectors, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
“Using the Christie DWU23-HS projectors, we achieved outstanding visual clarity and color accuracy that brought the light and sound show to life,” said Shailesh Vasani, Managing Director of Aura Bright Light India. “This project is our first large-scale endeavor combining both visual and audio technologies, and we are proud to deliver high-resolution images with remarkable detail. Our team’s dedication to seamlessly merge advanced technologies with the university’s iconic architecture was crucial in creating an immersive and captivating experience.”
With guidance from Rhino Engineers Pvt Ltd, which managed the project and provided design consultancy, and the creative content expertise of Ahmedabad-based creative firm Knownsense Studios, the project was executed seamlessly and completed on schedule.
“We’re very pleased to have been a part of this major project that brilliantly brought Osmania University’s rich history and achievements to life,” said Narendra Naidu, chairman and Managing Director of Rhino Engineers. “The collaboration between all teams has resulted in a truly fascinating and educational experience for all.”
On the facade of Osmania University, one of the oldest in Southern India, Knownsense Studios created a vibrant projection mapping show.
A grand building of Osmania University is pertinently transformed into a screen by Knownsense Studios to tell the story of the inception and the glory of Osmania University. Studio created hundreds of moving and breathtaking visuals that showcased the addition of courses, struggles of students over the years, and luminaries that came out of Osmania University.
A narrative between first and third generations, fresh and easy, provides insight on the number of generations that have benefited from the University. Knownsense Studios’ humane approach with cinematic visuals creates a show full of depth and nuance.
Says Himanshu Ghosh, Director at Knownsense who heralded the task: “The creation of a show on a century-old university that shaped the region required thorough research on all levels, along with expert opinions, the team indulged religiously in the research to find the origins and significance of the university by visiting and studying countless documents and books discovered from old libraries.”
According to him, it was a record of sorts and technology innovation history making in its own right.
“For the first time in any Indian installation of such magnitude, a pixel mapping technique was applied; each pixel of light was controlled even though the mapping was happening on the front façade,” Himanshu explains. “A unique control of lights in their RGBW format augmented the atmosphere and feel of the show. As many as 1000 lights were controlled by server syncing of film colours.”
Given the historical setting and scale, it wasn’t going to be an easy task- especially for the content creators and the integrator too.
An application of language, facts, and culture in its entirety demanded an in-depth understanding of dictions, dialogues, and data, reveals Himanshu. Unearthing these and executing it to precision was an intense exercise, the thorough narrative was eventually designed to leave the audience awe-inspired and surprised with research and narrative.
“We were extremely mindful of the trickiness of the content,” admits the Knownsense Director. “But given the immensity of the prideful work, we committed ourselves to create a visual spectacle, made sure by precise designs,” he elaborates. “Many to and fro movements with the clients, this cooperative environment ensured there were no big modifications.”
Rishubh Nayar, Sales Director for India, Enterprise, Christie, is understandably exulted. “We are thrilled that our DWU23-HS projectors were chosen for this prestigious project. The superior performance and reliability of the HS Series projectors make them the perfect choice for such a significant installation. It’s an honor to contribute to a project that blends technology with culture and history so effectively.”
The Christie DWU23-HS projectors are strategically positioned to deliver colorful, lifelike imagery on the Arts College’s façade, which spans 350 feet in length (107 meters) and 60 feet in height (18 meters).
The show features music by Indian composer and playback singer Vandemataram Srinivas, and voiceover by renowned South Indian actor Sai Kumar.
“This synergistic partnership makes Osmania University’s light and sound show a standout feature, successfully preserving and celebrating its rich heritage while creating a lasting impact on the university and the community,” Vasani added.
Featuring BoldColor+ technology that enhances color performance with deeper blacks and more natural, realistic onscreen visuals, the 23,650-lumen DWU23-HS laser projector is known for its compact form factor and quiet operation, with noise levels as low as 35dBA. This makes it ideal for various applications ranging from live events to museums and boardrooms.
Additionally, the DWU23-HS is compatible with Christie Mystique, an automated camera-based alignment and recalibration software that allows for quick installation, alignment, calibration, and maintenance of multi-projection systems.
