Art Form

Cheriyal Scroll

Cheriyal, Telangana · Southern India

What It Is

Cheriyal scroll painting is a modified version of Nakashi art, practiced in the village of Cheriyal in Telangana. These narrative scrolls feature bold colors, stylized figures, and sequential storytelling panels depicting local folklore, mythology, and cultural tales. The art form is closely associated with the traveling bard tradition.

Emotional Qualities

ColorfulNarrativeFolkExpressive

History & Origin

Cheriyal scrolls have been created for over 400 years by a single family of artists in the village of Cheriyal. The tradition was patronized by the Kakatiya dynasty and later by local communities who commissioned scrolls for storytelling performances during festivals and gatherings.

Cultural Significance

Each scroll tells a complete story — from the Mahabharata and Ramayana to local legends and folk tales. The bright red background is distinctive to Cheriyal art. The stylized figures with elongated eyes and exaggerated features create a unique visual language that makes the narratives accessible to rural audiences.

Technique

The scrolls are painted on khadi cloth treated with a mixture of tamarind paste, white mud, and tree gum. The characteristic red background is created using natural dyes. Artists use bold outlines and flat colors to create clear, readable narratives that can be understood from a distance during performances.

Materials Used

Khadi cotton clothNatural dyes and pigmentsTamarind paste and white mudTree gum binderCharcoal for outlinesBamboo and squirrel-hair brushes

Cultural Context

Cheriyal scrolls were traditionally used by traveling storytellers who would unroll the painted narrative while singing the epic tales. This art form represents the intersection of visual art, oral tradition, and community entertainment in rural Telangana.

When This Art Form Works Best

Folk narrative art

Cultural storytelling projects

Colorful contemporary spaces

Educational and heritage institutions

How Our Artists Approach This Form

Our Cheriyal artists honor the bold, expressive style and narrative structure of this rare tradition. Each scroll is painted with the clarity and visual impact needed for storytelling, using the distinctive red background and stylized figures that define this 400-year-old art form.

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