Immediately after the formation of States on linguistic basis, a large number of officers and employees were transferred from Madras Presidency (as it was called then) to Andhra State, the then capital Kurnool and they subsequently came over to the city of Hyderabad. Until then, patronage for Carnatic music concerts and classical dance performances in the city was very limited.

Only one institution – Krishna Gana Sabha, was functioning with limited resources and was organizing music concerts off and on at King Koti area of Hyderabad.

Officials who were all from the then Madras Presidency, were keen to witness music concerts, as many of them were connoisseurs of music and were enjoying them at Madras.

Thus the need for a Music Sabha was keenly felt by them. It was then that a few art lovers joined together and mooted the idea of an Association for the purpose.

Thus was born the SOUTH INDIAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION in Hyderabad on 26 May 1959.

For some time it was functioning from the residence of one of the office bearers in Hyderbasti, Jeera, Secunderabad.

With the Association taking strong roots and with the help of Sri N Seetharaman, IA & AS , a senior Officer from Accounant General’s office, a room was allotted for the Association at Lal Bahadur Stadium where it is functioning even now. Between 1959 and 1961, due to lack of proper venue for holding the concerts, the Association was conducting its programs in Lady Hyderi Club, Bashirbagh, SD Hall, Ramkote, Balaji Bhavan open ground, Jamshedji Tata Hall,Secunderabad etc.

When the prestigious National Theatre christened as Ravindra Bharathi was constructed in 1961 at Hyderabad, SICA started holding concerts there at on a regular basis. In fact, it is heartening that SICA’s program was the first program to be held at Ravindra Bharathi after its inauguration.

The Annual Cultural Calander of SICA consists of Carnatic Vocal, Instumental Music (Carnatic style) organised regularly. SICA and TTD are jointly conducting Pravachanams, Nama Sankeertanams in Telugu and Tamil along with Annamacharya Keertanas. Once in a Year Vinjamuri Vardaraja Iyengar Memorial Concerts are organised. Carnatic Vocal Music Competitions are arranged for Sub-Juniors, Juniors and Seniors in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad. On May 26th Foundation Day of SICA is organised and a Senior Artiste is presented for the benefit of Members and Invitees. In the Month of November a grand 5 to 7 days of Annual Art Festival is organised.

And also organising Guru Hemamalini Arni NATIONAL LEVEL COMPETITIONS in BHARATHA NATYAM for the award of a SILVER CUP to the Best Young Bharatha Natyam Dancer. The competitions will be open to those in the age group of 15 to 25 years and who have learning experience in Bharatanatyam for a minimum of five years from any Bharathnatyam Guru or any Institution teaching Bharathanatyam.

SIC has also been organising Hindusthani Music Concerts of and on for the benefit of SICA Members in general and the Hindusthani Art Lovers in particular.

The Thyagaraja Aradhana is held every year to pay SICA obescence to the Great Vaggeyakara.

SICA is today ranked as an "A" Grade Cultural Organisation by the State Government. Artists considered a privilege to peform under the auspicious of SICA before a Large Gathering of discerning art lovers from the Twin Cities. In this noble task SICA is greatly indebited to various Govt. and Private Institutions who extend their valuable patronage year after year.