Cheriyal Scroll Painting - 12th Century Telangana Art Form

Cheriyal scroll painting is a 400 year old vibrant and unique folk art tradition originating from the Cheriyal village in the Siddipet district of Telangana, India. Characterized by narrative scrolls depicting mythological stories, folklore and local legends, this art form remains one of India’s most distinctive and colorful cultural treasures. It serves not only as an artistic expression but also as a visual storytelling medium deeply rooted in tradition.

What are Cheriyal Paintings?

Cheriyal paintings also known as Cheriyal scroll paintings are a form of Nakashi art, a traditional style of painting that originated in the village of Cheriyal in Telangana. During the Nizam rule, this art form was referred to as 'naqash' meaning to draw or sketch. The artists who create these intricate scrolls are known as Nakashis, and the paintings have historically served as visual aids for storytelling, often accompanied by songs and performances.

Typically painted on khadi cloth mounted on wooden poles, Cheriyal scrolls were used to narrate tales from Indian mythology, folklore, and local traditions. The scrolls, usually about four feet in length, were often created by itinerant craftsmen locally known as ‘Cheru Idi’. They are composed in a narrative format, much like a film roll or comic strip, sequentially depicting stories from the Puranas and Indian epics.

History

Cheriyal scroll painting traces its origins back several centuries, linked closely to the storytelling traditions of rural India. These scrolls were traditionally used by itinerant storytellers called "Patrots" or "Bhagats" who traveled from village to village, using the scrolls to illustrate and narrate tales from epics such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and local folklore.

The town of Cheriyal in the Siddipet district of Telangana is the birthplace of this art form, giving the paintings their name. Historically, the craft was practiced by families as a hereditary tradition, passed down through generations. Over time, Cheriyal paintings evolved from simple narrative scrolls into rich, decorative panels and standalone artworks.

Techniques

Cheriyal scroll paintings are known for their bold use of color, stylized figures, and intricate narrative compositions. The techniques involved are labor-intensive and require great skill:

1. Canvas Preparation - The base material traditionally used was unbleached cotton fabric, treated with a mixture of clay and gum to make it stiff and durable. Once dried, this prepared canvas served as the surface for painting.
2. Natural Pigments - Artists use natural, locally sourced pigments derived from minerals, vegetables, and other organic materials. Red and yellow dominate the palette, while black, white, and green are also commonly used. These colors are mixed with tamarind seed paste or gum to enhance adhesion and longevity.
3. Brushwork and Composition - Brushes made from animal hair enable precise detailing. The paintings follow a strict linear format, arranged in horizontal panels that guide the viewer’s eye from left to right, akin to a visual storytelling scroll.
4. Narrative Layout - The composition generally includes a sequence of scenes from a mythological or folklore story, accompanied by brief textual descriptions in local dialects. Each frame presents key characters and events in a highly stylized manner.

Significance of Colors

The colors used in Cheriyal scroll paintings carry significant symbolic meanings and play a crucial role in the visual storytelling tradition. The palette is typically composed of vivid, primary colors achieved through natural pigments made from minerals, vegetables, and organic materials. A bright red background dominates most scrolls, symbolizing valor and power, and it effectively highlights the detailed figures and scenes painted over it.

Specific colors are used to represent characters and their attributes:

• Blue is reserved for divine figures like Krishna, symbolizing divinity and calm.
• Yellow is used for goddesses, reflecting prosperity and auspiciousness.
• Black often depicts human characters such as Rama or demons, indicating darker or more serious traits.
• Green represents fertility and nature, often used for depictions of flora and fauna within the scroll.

The color scheme not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also helps in the immediate identification of characters, particularly gods and goddesses, distinguishing them from humans and mythological creatures. The use of thick black outlines and unshaded vibrant colors adheres to the traditional "line and wash" technique, lending the paintings their distinct bold style. Overall, the colors in Cheriyal scroll painting are deeply intertwined with cultural symbolism, enhancing the narrative by visually reinforcing themes of power, fertility, prosperity, and divinity inherent in the stories depicted.

Motifs

Cheriyal scroll paintings are rich in motifs and symbolism, each serving a narrative or cultural purpose:

• Mythological Figures - Characters from Hindu epics like Lord Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, and various local deities are central to many scrolls.
• Animals and Nature - Elephants, horses, peacocks, and lions often appear as symbols of power and divinity. Trees, rivers, and landscapes provide a background to the narrative.
• Geometric Borders and Decorative Patterns - The outer edges are typically adorned with geometric designs, repetitive motifs, and floral patterns, giving the artwork a frame-like structure.
• Color Symbolism - Red symbolizes valor and power, yellow reflects prosperity, while green represents fertility and nature.

Themes

Cheriyal scroll paintings primarily explore themes centered on narrative storytelling, drawing deeply from mythology, folklore, village life and the ritualistic traditions of Telangana. These narratives are vividly rendered in a sequence of vibrant panels across extended scrolls, traditionally serving as visual aids for oral storytellers to engage and educate their audience.

Famous Cheriyal Artists

While most Cheriyal artists belonged to families that passed the tradition through generations, several individual artists have gained recognition for their contribution to the craft:

• Mallesham Cheriyal - An influential name in modernizing and popularizing Cheriyal scrolls, Mallesham focused on preserving the traditional techniques while adapting the craft for contemporary art markets.
• Narayan Rao Cheriyal - Known for his mastery in depicting mythological themes with precision and vividness, Narayan Rao helped bring national and international attention to Cheriyal art.

In recent years, various government initiatives and NGOs have supported the revival and global promotion of Cheriyal painting, helping artists find markets beyond rural India.

Last Artisans

The last practicing artists of Cheriyal scroll painting belong to the Dhanalakota (Nakash) family, notably Dhanalakota Vaikuntam Nakash and his descendants, including Vinay Kumar and Sai Kiran Dhanalakota, who actively preserve and promote the tradition in Hyderabad and across Telangana. In addition, Nagila Ganesh and his wife Vanaja play a crucial role in safeguarding Cheriyal mask-making, an integral aspect of the narrative storytelling that accompanies these scrolls. Together, these dedicated artisans are pivotal in ensuring that Cheriyal scroll painting not only endures but continues to evolve and flourish in the contemporary era.

Contemporary Relevance

Cheriyal scroll paintings have adapted to modern times by transitioning from long narrative scrolls, which once contained up to 50 panels, to smaller, single-panel artworks suited for contemporary living spaces. Traditionally, these scrolls could stretch up to 40-60 feet and served as visual story aids for itinerant storytellers recounting epics and folklore. However, with changes in lifestyle, declining congregations for oral storytelling, and smaller modern homes, artists have innovated by creating compact versions that function as decorative wall art.

This adaptation allows Cheriyal paintings to reach a broader audience while preserving their storytelling essence through selective depictions of key scenes or characters in a single frame. Furthermore, artists have diversified into making masks, dolls, keychains, bookmarks, and other functional art pieces inspired by Cheriyal motifs to keep the tradition alive and commercially viable. Despite the reduced size and scope, the paintings retain their vibrant colors, bold outlines, and symbolic narratives, making them accessible and relevant to modern aesthetics without compromising the cultural heritage of this unique art form.

Conclusion

Cheriyal scroll painting stands as a testament to India’s rich folk art heritage; a vibrant, narrative-driven tradition blending mythology, artistry, and craftsmanship. Its continued survival depends on mindful preservation and innovative adaptations. As it continues to inspire contemporary artists and collectors, Cheriyal remains a colorful window into India’s living past.

Image Credit:
“Cherial 1”, Rangan Datta Wiki, via Wikimedia Commons
 – Public Domain.