The Golden Threshold, named after Sarojini Naidu’s first collection of poetry (published 1905), used to be the building where she used to live with her family. It was the place where many reformist ideas regarding women’s empowerment, education, nationalism and literature took shape. True to the spirit of the family, her daughter, Padmaja Naidu, donated the building to the University of Hyderabad in 1974. Initially, it was the building from where the social sciences and humanities departments functioned but later, in 1988, the University moved to its Gachibowli campus. As an off-campus site it functioned as the Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication till 2003. However, now a restoration project is underway to make the space into a museum and an arts centre. While plans for an auditorium, outdoor event spaces etc are being developed, the Raj Kumari Indira Devi Hall has already been constructed near the Golden Threshold and made open for use. Future plans also include a University of Hyderabad- Golden Threshold lecture series for researchers and educators. The building, a heritage site, is constructed in the Indo-European style with Islamic influences and also has a mango tree in its premises that had been planted by Gandhi. Once restored, it would habra museum dedicated to the life of Sarojini Naidu.
