Cheriyal in Modern Homes
In a quiet Hyderabad apartment, early morning light slips through the window and rests gently on a small painting hung near the doorway. Outside, traffic horns and rushing footsteps fill the air. Inside, the colours speak softly. Red like Telangana soil after the first rain. Black lines steady and confident. Faces that look straight at you, as if they know where they come from. In this modern home, between steel shelves and glass tables, Cheriyal has found a small place to breathe.
Cheriyal painting was never meant to be silent décor. It was born to speak. Long ago, in the villages of Telangana, these paintings lived on temple walls and long scrolls. They walked with storytellers who sang ballads of gods, warriors, village life, and moral lessons. People gathered after a day’s work, sat on the ground, and watched stories open slowly, one scene at a time.
These paintings shaped how Telangana saw itself. Bold, direct, and honest. No soft shadows or distant dreams. Every figure stood firm, like the people of this land. The deep red background came from natural stone, from the same earth farmers walked on barefoot. Art was not separate from life. It was life.
The making of a Cheriyal painting is still slow and patient, even today. The artisan begins by preparing the surface with tamarind seed paste. He smoothens it by hand, trusting his palm more than any machine. Natural colours are ground carefully—red from stones, black from soot, white from shells. Each colour carries the smell of nature and the memory of effort.
The brush moves with confidence, guided by years of watching and learning. Lines are drawn without fear. There is no erasing, no hiding. Every stroke is final, like a word spoken from the heart. Figures appear one by one, telling stories that have travelled across generations.
Behind these paintings are lives lived quietly. Many Cheriyal artisans still live in small homes, close to their work. Their day begins early, with household duties, before they sit on the floor to paint. Children grow up watching colours being mixed and stories being discussed. Learning happens without classrooms—through correction, patience, and repetition.
Their pride is silent. They do not chase attention. When someone truly understands their work, they smile softly. They know what they hold in their hands is not just art, but inheritance.
Yet bringing Cheriyal into modern homes has not been easy. The world now moves fast. Walls are often bare or filled with printed art. People want instant beauty, not slow stories. Income remains uncertain. Some artisans struggle to sell their work at fair value. Younger generations watch this uncertainty and hesitate to continue the tradition.
Government initiatives have helped in parts—GI recognition, exhibitions, training programs. These efforts have given visibility and respect to the craft. But on the ground, challenges remain. Support is uneven. Awareness is still limited. Recognition does not always turn into stable livelihoods.
And yet, Cheriyal matters deeply in modern homes. In spaces filled with machines and screens, it brings warmth. It reminds us of hands, not factories. Of stories, not algorithms. It is sustainable, made from natural materials, and rooted in community knowledge. It carries Telangana’s voice into rooms that may be far from the villages where it was born.
When someone places a Cheriyal painting in their home, they feel more than beauty. They feel connection. A pause in the day. A reminder of festivals, temple bells, and evening storytelling. Guests ask questions. Conversations begin. The painting does its old job again—it tells stories.
Cheriyal does not demand space. It simply asks to be seen with respect. In modern homes, it stands quietly, carrying centuries in a few square inches. By understanding its journey and the lives behind it, we give it more than a wall. We give it dignity.
As long as there are homes willing to listen, Cheriyal will continue to speak—softly, steadily—like the Telangana breeze at dusk, carrying stories from the past into the present, asking only that we remember where they came from.
To know more about this living heritage, visit: cheriyalscrollpainting.com
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Telangana, the youngest state in India, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and world-famous handicrafts. Its traditional arts include Cheriyal Paintings, Nirmal Toys, hand embroidery (Nagaram, Nizamabad), Bobbin Lace, Banjara Embroidery, Zari–Zardozi, cotton durries, lac bangles, Baithak paintings, Ikat, pearl jewellery, intricate stone carvings, and hand-printed cotton textiles, each deeply rooted in tradition and craftsmanship.
The Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), under the Ministry of Textiles, aims to holistically develop handicraft clusters across India, including Telangana.
Supported by: The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), the nodal agency for promoting and developing the Indian handicrafts sector, focused on artisan empowerment, market expansion, and sustainable livelihoods.
Executed by: The Andhra Pradesh Productivity Council (APPC), an autonomous non-profit organization established in 1958 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, implementing the project in Telangana through consultancy, micro-enterprise development, skill development, training, surveys, energy audits, and rural livelihood initiatives.
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