Nakashi Art of Telangana – Cheriyal Scroll Painting History
Published by Orugallu Andhalu
Introduction
Among India’s oldest surviving folk traditions, the Nakashi art of Telangana stands out for its vivid storytelling, brilliant colors, and deep historical roots. Practiced through both Cheriyal scroll paintings and hand-carved wooden figurines, this art form represents the cultural memory of villages, tribes, occupations, festivals, and mythology.
Even today, this rare craft is survives through only a few artisan families — mainly in Cheriyal (Siddipet district), Jagtial, Korutla, Metpally, and Nirmal — making it a priceless heritage that needs respect and preservation.
Cherial Mask nakashi art Telangana
The Roots of NakashÄ« – 800 Years Back in Time
Historically, Nakashī artists trace their origins to the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. According to local legends, the craftsmen were brought to the Telangana region nearly 800 years ago during Kakatiya Reign in the Deccan, a period known for encouraging temple art, craft guilds, and local storytelling traditions.
Over centuries, these artists settled in several towns and villages, including:
- Jagtial
- Korutla
- Metpally
- Siddipet
- Cheriyal
- Nirmal
Across centuries, many communities gradually moved to other professions. However, a few hereditary Nakashī families have continued to preserve and practice this traditional art.
Cheriyal Scrolls – The Cinema of Ancient Telangana
Cheriyal Nakashi art depicting Toddy Tappers
Long before books, mobile phones, or movies existed, Telangana had travelling storytellers such as Kancholu, Oggu Katha, Koya, and Erukala performers who moved from village to village narrating stories.
To support their narration, these balladeers used long painted scrolls as visual storytelling aids.
Each scroll typically:
- Measured 30–50 feet in length
- Contained 40–50 painted panels
- Depicted mythological stories, folk legends, moral tales, local traditions, and occupational scenes
As the storyteller unfolded the scroll panel by panel while narrating the story, the audience could visually follow the narrative.
In many ways, these scrolls functioned as the original folk cinema of the Deccan, combining art, storytelling, and performance.
Signature Features of Cheriyal Art:
Cheriyal paintings are instantly recognizable because of their distinctive style and vibrant storytelling format. Some of the defining characteristics include:
- Deep red backgrounds that form the base of most paintings
- Bold black outlines that clearly define figures and scenes
- Bright natural colors prepared using traditional pigments
- Large, expressive eyes that give life and emotion to the characters
- Sequential storytelling, where events unfold panel by panel
- Framed panels arranged like modern comic strips, guiding viewers through the narrative
Recognizing its cultural significance, Cheriyal Scroll Painting received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag No. 226, officially identifying it as a unique traditional art form of Telangana.
The Nakashi Families of Cheriyal – 15 Generations of Tradition
Nakashi Art Panel
Only a few hereditary families continue to preserve the ancient Nakashi tradition in Cheriyal today. These artisans have safeguarded the techniques of scroll painting and wooden figurine making for more than fifteen generations, passing the knowledge from elders to younger members within the family.
While adapting their work to modern tastes and markets, these craftsmen remain deeply rooted in traditional methods and themes. Through their dedication, Cheriyal and Nakashi painting continue to survive as a living cultural legacy of Telangana.
During the Telangana movement, public interest in regional culture and identity increased significantly. This renewed attention also brought fresh demand for Cheriyal paintings, helping the art regain visibility and appreciation.
Wooden Figurines – The Lost Glory of Poniki Stick Carving
Nakshi wooden figurines
Beyond scroll painting, the region around Jagtial developed its own branch of Nakashi craftsmanship: lightweight hand-carved wooden figurines.
For centuries, artisans created a variety of ritual and decorative figures such as:
- Horses
- Tigers
- Village goddess idols
- Folk characters
- Ritual dolls
These figures were traditionally carved from Poniki (Puniki) wood, a soft and lightweight timber that is easy to shape and carve.
Traditional Process
- Poniki wood is cut, dried, and carved into shape
- A coating of tamarind seed paste is applied to smooth the surface
- Natural colors are painted layer by layer
- A final lacquer coating is applied to give shine and protection
However, due to deforestation and the decline of Poniki trees, artisans now sometimes use Plaster of Paris (PoP) as an alternative material.
As one artisan from Jagtial explains, earlier craftsmen made a wide range of toys and figurines from Poniki wood. Today, because the tree has become rare, only a limited number are produced. During village festivals, however, horse and tiger figurines remain especially popular.
These toys and figurines are often offered or placed in village deity temples such as Pochamma, Maisamma, and Katta Maisamma, where they form part of local ritual traditions.
Temple NakashÄ« – The Hidden Art in Rural Shrines
Unlike Cheriyal scroll paintings that mainly depict mythological stories, Nakashī artists from regions such as Jagtial and Nirmal have also contributed to decorating village temples with vibrant folk murals.
These temple paintings often portray themes such as:
- Tigers
- Snakes
- Mother Goddess figures
- Stories of local heroes
- Community rituals and village traditions
Such paintings reflect the older folk dimension of Nakashī art, where symbolism, belief, and local storytelling come together.
Even today, many rural shrines preserve these colorful murals, offering a glimpse into the living cultural traditions and spiritual life of Telangana’s villages.
Challenges Faced by Nakashi Art Today
Despite its cultural significance and growing recognition, Nakashi art today faces several serious challenges. The number of young artisans willing to learn the craft is steadily declining, as many younger generations move toward other professions for stable livelihoods. At the same time, low commercial demand and the increasing popularity of machine-made prints have reduced opportunities for traditional artists. The situation is further complicated by the scarcity of natural raw materials such as Poniki wood, which was once widely used for carving figurines. Limited institutional support and the gradual decline of traditional storytelling practices have also affected the survival of this art form.
Yet, despite these difficulties, the remaining Nakashi families continue to preserve and promote the tradition through exhibitions, workshops, and collaborations, ensuring that this unique cultural heritage of Telangana is not lost.
Why Preserving Nakashi Matters
Cheriyal and Nakashi artworks are far more than decorative paintings; they are powerful expressions of Telangana’s cultural heritage. Through their vibrant colors and storytelling panels, these artworks preserve the folk memory of communities, the craftsmanship associated with the Kakatiya era, local legends, village rituals, and traditional painting techniques passed down through generations.
In many ways, these paintings serve as visual histories of the people, reflecting everyday life, beliefs, and cultural values of rural Telangana.
Preserving and supporting Nakashi art therefore means safeguarding a living heritage — protecting regional identity, traditional knowledge, and the grassroots cultural traditions that have shaped Telangana’s history for centuries.
Where to See / Buy Nakashi Art Today
Those interested in exploring or purchasing Nakashi and Cheriyal artworks can find them at several places across Telangana:
- Cheriyal village (Siddipet district) – the traditional center of the craft
- Shilparamam, Hyderabad – a major handicrafts and cultural village
- Telangana State Museum, Hyderabad
- State-run handicraft emporiums and exhibitions
- Arts and crafts fairs and handicraft melas
- Directly from artisan workshops in Cheriyal and nearby towns
Buying directly from artisans helps sustain the craft and supports the families who continue to preserve this centuries-old tradition.
Conclusion
Nakashi art — expressed through Cheriyal scroll paintings, temple murals, and Poniki-wood figurines — remains one of Telangana’s most distinctive cultural treasures. Rooted in centuries of tradition and sustained by dedicated artisan families, this vibrant art form continues to carry forward the stories, beliefs, and everyday life of the region.
Recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, Nakashi art stands as a symbol of Telangana’s rich folk heritage and artistic skill. Despite modern challenges, the perseverance of traditional artisans has kept this unique storytelling tradition alive.
As Telangana moves forward in a rapidly changing world, preserving Nakashi art becomes essential — ensuring that the colors, stories, rituals, and cultural memories of the past continue to inspire future generations.
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Sources & References
News & Media Reports
- Telangana’s Dhanalakota Vaikuntam Nakash’s 50-Year Journey with Cheriyal Art. The Hindu
- Old Scrolls in New Times: Preserving Telangana’s Ancient Art of Nakashi. The New Indian Express
- Nakashi Art: Through the Eyes of a Lensman. Deccan Chronicle
- Keeping Cheriyal’s Nakashi Art Alive. Telangana Today
- Nakashi Art: A Dying Art Form in Telangana. Sakshi (Telugu)
- Vaikuntam Vanaja and the Nakashi Tradition. Sakshi (Telugu)
- Special Editorial on Nakashi Paintings. Disha Daily
Image Credits (Wikimedia Commons)
- Cheriyal Mask — Photo by Rangan Datta, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Cheriyal Painting – Toddy Tappers — Photo by Subha Murugan, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
- Cherial Mask.jpg — Photo by Rangan Datta, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Nakkasi Indian Art — Photo by TusharJNV, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Disclaimer:
Information in this article is based on local history, folklore, archeological records, and publicly available sources.
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