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 preserved by just a few families — mainly in Cheriyal (Siddipet district), Jagtial, Korutla, Metpally, and Nirmal — making it a priceless heritage that needs respect and preservation.
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 of the southern india, who were known for supporting temple art, craft guilds, and local storytelling traditions.
Over centuries, these artists settled in:
* Jagtial
* Korutla
* Metpally
* Siddipet
* Cheriyal
* Nirmal
Across time, many communities shifted to other professions, but a handful of hereditary families still keep the tradition alive.
Cheriyal Scrolls – The Cinema of Ancient Telangana
Before books, phones, or movies arrived, Telangana had Kancholu, Oggu Katha, Koya and Erukala storytellers who traveled from village to village. These balladeers used long painted scrolls as visual aids to support their narration.
Each scroll:
*Was 30–50 feet long
* Contained 40–50 panels
* Depicted myths, legends, moral tales, local stories, and occupations.
This was the original folk cinema of the Deccan.
Signature Features of Cheriyal Art:
✔ Deep red background
✔ Thick black outlines
✔ Bright natural colors
✔ Big expressive eyes
✔ Storytelling in sequence
✔ Panels like today’s comic strips
This art received the Geographical Indication (GI Tag 226) in 2007–2010 — marking it as a unique cultural treasure of Telangana.
The Nakashi Families of Cheriyal – 15 Generations of Tradition
One of the few surviving families of this tradition continues to preserve the craft through generations. These hereditary artisans have safeguarded Nakashi techniques for more than 15 generations, keeping alive the scroll-painting and wooden-figurine heritage of Telangana.
They adapt the art to modern needs while staying rooted in ancestral methods, ensuring that Cheriyal and Nakashi painting remain a living cultural legacy.
During the Telangana movement, Cheriyal gained popularity again, creating fresh demand for these masterpieces.
Wooden Figurines – The Lost Glory of Poniki Stick Carving
Beyond scroll painting, Jagtial has its own branch of Nakashi art: lightweight hand-carved wooden figurines.
For centuries, artisans crafted:
* Horses
* Tigers
* Village goddess idols
* Folk characters
* Ritual dolls
using the unique Poniki (Puniki) stick, a soft lightweight wood ideal for carving.
Process:
1. Poniki wood is cut, dried, and shaped
2. Tamarind seed paste is applied for coating
3. Natural dyes are painted layer by layer
4. Final lacquer gives shine
Because Poniki trees are disappearing due to deforestation, many artisans now use Plaster of Paris (PoP) as a substitute.
A Jagtial artisan explains that they once made all kinds of toys with Poniki wood.
Now as the tree is rare, so they make only a few. During festivals, horse and tiger toys are in high demand.
These toys are placed in village deity temples like Pochamma, Maisamma, and Katta Maisamma as part of rituals.
Temple NakashÄ« – The Hidden Art in Rural Shrines
Unlike Cheriyal murals that focus on mythology, Jagtial and Nirmal Nakashi artists often paint village temples with:
* Tigers
* Snakes
* Mother Goddess
* Local hero stories
* Community rituals
These temples preserve the older folk aspect of Nakashi — vibrant, symbolic, and deeply tied to local beliefs.
Challenges Faced by Nakashi Art Today
Despite fame, the art form faces severe challenges:
* Fewer young artisans
* Low commercial demand
* Shift to machine-made prints
* Loss of raw materials like Poniki wood
* Limited government support
* Reduced storytelling culture
Yet the remaining Nakashi families continue to fight to keep this tradition alive — through exhibitions, workshops, and collaborations.
Why Preserving Nakashi Matters
Cheriyal and Nakashi artworks carry:
* Telangana’s folk memory
* Kakatiya-era craftsmanship
* Community stories
* Village rituals
* Ancient colors and techniques
They are not just paintings — They are visual histories of our people.
Supporting this art means protecting:
✔ heritage
✔ identity
✔ grassroots culture
Where to See / Buy Nakashi Art Today
You can explore or buy Nakashi /Cheriyal artworks at:
* Cheriyal Village, Siddipet
* Shilparamam (Hyderabad)
* Telangana State Museum
* Arts & crafts exhibitions
* State-run craft emporiums
* Handicraft melas
* Direct artisan workshops
Buying from artisans directly helps sustain the craft.
Conclusion
Nakashi art — whether in the form of Cheriyal scrolls, temple murals, or Poniki-wood figurines — is one of Telangana’s rarest cultural jewels.
Rooted in centuries of heritage, carried by dedicated families, and recognized with a GI tag, this art continues to survive because of passion, skill, and storytelling.
As modern Telangana grows, preserving Nakashi ensures that we do not lose the colors, stories, rituals, and memories that define our identity.
Image Credits (Wikimedia Commons)
1)Image Credit: Rangan Datta Wiki, CC BY-SA 3.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
via Wikimedia Commons.
2)Image: Cheriyal painting – toddy tappers — Photo by Subha Murugan, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
3) Cherial Mask.jpg – Rangan Datta (CC BY-SA 4.0)
4) Nakkasi Indian art” – Photo by TusharJNV, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
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Disclaimer:
Information in this article is based on local history, folklore, archeological records, and publicly available sources.
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