Venkatachalam
Hundreds of years ago, storytelling communities of Telangana would travel through villages, singing and narrating stories using the Cheriyal scroll as the visual tool.
Hundreds of years ago, storytelling communities of Telangana would travel through villages, singing and narrating stories using the Cheriyal scroll as the visual tool. Each scroll traditionally begins with a panel of Ganapati, followed by the goddess Saraswati. Only natural colours are used in the illustrations. Inglikam stone-red is for the background. The hues of the face and skin are applied according to the nature of the character; for example, the blue from Indigo leaf and yellow from Pevidi stone are used for the gods; brown or darker shades are made with lamp soot for demons, while humans skin tones are pink.
“The Cheriyal or Nakashi art—a visual form of storytelling—is on the brink of extinction. Today, only seven families are engaged in this art form. Five belong to the Nakashi community, while the rest are outsiders who learned the art from my father,” says D Rakesh, Vaikuntam’s son. The family has conducted workshops by SkillXn, Paramparik Karigar, Crafts Council of Telangana, Spic Macay, Dastkaar Haat Samiti, and Rajasthani Studios. “The response was heartening, and the students showed a keen interest in learning the art. We want to keep Cheriyal art alive. Such online efforts get us better traction,” says Vaikuntam.
