Among India’s diverse folk art traditions, Cherial (Cheriyal) scroll painting from Telangana holds a unique place as a vibrant visual storytelling form. Painted on long handmade cloth scrolls, this art form brings to life mythological tales, folklore, and village scenes in bold, dramatic colors. At the forefront of preserving and popularizing this 400-year-old tradition is Dhanalakota Vaikuntam Nakash, a 15th-generation artist and cultural custodian who has dedicated his life to keeping this endangered craft alive.

What Is Cheriyal Scroll Painting?

Cheriyal scroll painting is a traditional folk art form originating from the Cheriyal village in Siddipet district, Telangana, India. This unique art style is characterized by vibrant, narrative scrolls painted on long pieces of khadi cloth, depicting stories from Hindu mythology, local folklore and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Known as Nakashi art, Cheriyal scroll paintings functioned historically as visual aids for traveling storytellers who used them during performances, combining music, narration, and imagery to educate and entertain rural communities.

The creation of Cheriyal scroll paintings involves intricate process and natural materials. Artists prepare the base cloth with rice starch, tamarind paste, and chalk powder, then use brushes made from squirrel and goat hair to apply natural dyes derived from sources such as indigo, turmeric, and seashells. Predominantly painted on a vivid red background, the style features flat perspectives, bold black outlines, and richly detailed figures colored in symbolic tones i.e blue for Krishna, black for Rama, and so on. Traditionally, these scrolls were used by itinerant bards and storytellers who narrated epics such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Krishna Leela. Each scroll could stretch up to 40 feet long, painted with sequential panels resembling today’s comic strips. The bold red backgrounds, unshaded figures, and expressive storytelling style make this art form instantly recognizable.

Distinctive Style & Craftsmanship

Cheriyal scrolls are instantly recognizable by their bright red backgrounds, bold unshaded figures, and linear narrative layout much like a comic strip playing out across multiple panels. The underlying canvas is handcrafted: khadi cloth is layered meticulously with a mixture of tamarind seed paste, rice starch, white clay, and gum each coat dried before the next is applied. 

Pigments are traditionally natural:

•    Red from gaalu inglikam stone
•    Black from lamp soot
•    White from powdered seashells
•    Yellow from Pevidi stone
•    Blue from indigo leavesBrushes are made using squirrel hair, a testament to the precision and care in each line. 

Vaikuntam Nakash: A Torchbearer of Cheriyal Scroll Painting

Born into a family of Nakashis, Dhanalakota Vaikuntam Nakash began painting at a young age when his father fell ill. Over the decades, he has become one of the most respected names in Cheriyal art. His works are housed in prestigious spaces such as the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, and the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad. Recently, his lifelong contribution to folk art was also acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during “Mann Ki Baat.”

Distinctive Style and Craftsmanship

D Vaikuntam Nakash continues to use traditional methods of preparing scrolls; handwoven khadi cloth treated with tamarind seed paste, rice starch, and natural gum. Natural pigments are carefully mixed to create vibrant reds, yellows, and indigos, while brushes made from squirrel hair lend finesse to his lines. His paintings stand out for their narrative clarity, their symbolic use of scale, and their ability to bring ancient stories into contemporary relevance.

Innovation and Modern Adaptation

Recognizing that long narrative scrolls are less in demand today, Vaikuntam and his family have innovated by creating:

•    Miniature panels for home décor
•    Masks and dolls inspired by Cheriyal motifs
•    Functional art like keychains, bookmarks, and pen holders

This adaptation has not only kept the art alive but also made it accessible to modern audiences.

Recognition and Cultural Impact

Vaikuntam Nakash has received several state and national awards, cementing his role as a cultural ambassador of Telangana. His efforts have been crucial in securing Geographical Indication (GI) status for Cheriyal painting in 2008. More importantly, he continues to train younger generations, ensuring that this art form is not lost to time.

Conclusion

Cheriyal scroll painting is more than just folk art. It is a living archive of India’s storytelling tradition, where myth, folklore, and daily life merge seamlessly. Through the tireless efforts of Vaikuntam Nakash, this endangered art form has not only survived but continues to flourish in new ways. His journey reflects the power of art as both a preserver of heritage and a bridge to modern audiences.