Cheriyal Art

Sessions:  3
Hrs per Session:  2

Cheriyal art is a vibrant traditional scroll painting style originating from Cheriyal village in Telangana, with roots dating back about 400 years and influenced by Nakashi art from the Mughal era.

Deeply intertwined with Telangana’s culture, these paintings serve as visual storytelling tools depicting mythological epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, local legends, and daily life scenes.

Created primarily by the Nakashi community, the art uses natural dyes ground from stones, applied on specially prepared khadi cotton fabric, and detailed with fine brushes made of squirrel hair.

Characterized by vivid red backgrounds and intricate floral borders, Cheriyal scrolls were historically integral to oral storytelling and ritual practices, symbolizing purification and prosperity. The craft also includes hand-sculpted masks made from tamarind seed paste and clay.

While preserving traditional methods, modern artists have adapted Cheriyal art for contemporary markets, with families like the Dhanalokotas playing a crucial role in sustaining and evolving this rare and culturally rich art form.