Authentic Hand-Painted Cheriyal Art (Signed by Artisans)

Hand-painted by traditional artisans of Telangana, these smaller-format Cheriyal works preserve a centuries-old storytelling tradition. 

The Story | Cheriyal Painting

Long before books were widely read, stories travelled through villages in painted scrolls.

Cheriyal painting emerged in the village of Cheriyal in present-day Telangana as a vibrant storytelling tradition. Created by members of the Nakashi community, these scrolls accompanied balladeers and village bards as they narrated epics, folklore, and community legends. As the story unfolded, the scroll was unrolled panel by panel — each scene painted in bold colour and expressive form.

For many, this was not just art. It was theatre, memory, and education woven into one visual narrative.

Dating back to the 17th century, this tradition continues to preserve mythology, social structures, and regional histories through paint and pattern.

The Visual Language

Cheriyal paintings are instantly recognisable.

A deep red background anchors the composition. Figures are outlined in confident black strokes. Colours are luminous and symbolic — deities in distinctive hues, villagers in lively pinks, demons in darker shades. Each character carries expression and movement, as though paused mid-story.

The scenes may depict episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, village rituals, local heroes, or community-specific legends. Every painting holds a fragment of a larger narrative world.

The Making

The process begins with khadi cloth, layered and strengthened using tamarind seed paste, rice starch, white mud, sawdust, and tree gum. This preparation alone takes several days.

Natural pigments — drawn from seashells, charcoal, turmeric, indigo, stones, and vegetable sources — are then carefully applied. The artist sketches freehand before defining the forms with fine brush outlines and filling each section with colour. A final coating of tree gum protects and seals the work.

The method is meticulous. The rhythm is patient. The skill is inherited.

Cheriyal Today

While traditional scrolls once stretched up to 60 feet, contemporary homes tell their stories differently. Today, artisans create smaller narrative paintings and hand-painted wall plates — adapting scale without losing spirit.

The art form received Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2007, recognising its cultural and regional significance.

The works in this collection are individually hand-painted and signed by the artisans. Though smaller in format, they retain the same materials, techniques, and storytelling depth as their ancestral scrolls.

Each piece is a collectible that carries forward a living tradition — not as a relic of the past, but as a story ready to enter a new home.

Meaningful Gifting

A Cheriyal artwork makes a gift that carries a story.

Hand-painted and individually signed by traditional artisans, these smaller-format paintings and wall plates offer a thoughtful alternative to mass-produced décor. Their vibrant colours and narrative themes make them especially suited for weddings, housewarmings, milestone birthdays, and festive celebrations.

At an accessible price point, they allow you to gift something rooted in heritage — personal, cultural, and enduring.