Buy Recording: Online Cheriyal Traditional Mask with Sai Kiran

Sai Kiran Dhanalakota

Sai Kiran, a 27-year-old artist, is credited with carrying on the history of the Dhanalakota family, the last practising family for Cheriyal Scroll painting. A 160-year-old Cheriyal scroll painted by his great-great grandpa is also on display in a museum in Paris, providing insight into his family's past. With the market for Cheriyal scrolls decreasing, his parents advised him to study rather than pursue painting, but Sai Kiran obtained a degree in fine arts to acquire new art techniques to modernise and make his work relevant in today's times. He wishes the Cheriyal scroll painters knew more about the stories they are painting, because the storytellers for these paintings are autonomous and add their own colour to the stories, but he makes an attempt to study these stories, and his personal favourite is Gaurapuranama's, about Toddy Tappers (Wine tappers). 'We replace our phones every year, our phone covers every two months, change is such a constant, therefore our work needs to stay up with it and adapt,' Sai Kiran says.

Cheriyal Scroll

Cheriyal scroll painting is a traditional art form that originated in the Cheriyal village of Telangana, India. It is a rich narrative art form used for storytelling, with scrolls depicting tales from mythology, folklore, and the epics. These vibrant, hand-painted scrolls are a key aspect of the cultural heritage of Telangana, with a history that spans several centuries. Known for their bold colors, intricate details, and the ability to communicate stories visually, Cheriyal scroll paintings have been an integral part of rural storytelling traditions in India. Cheriyal scrolls primarily depict stories from Hindu mythology, including episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. They also illustrate local folklore, rural life, and traditional customs, often providing a vivid portrayal of the socio-cultural environment of the region. Themes of devotion, heroism, morality, and the triumph of good over evil are prevalent in these paintings. Scenes from the lives of gods, goddesses, kings, and common folk are represented in dynamic compositions that evoke a sense of movement and action. History Cheriyal scroll painting has its roots in the ancient practice of visual storytelling. This art form is believed to date back more than 500 years, originating as a way for wandering storytellers to narrate epics, local legends, and moral tales to rural audiences. Storytellers, known as “Kaki Padagollu,” would travel from village to village, unrolling these scrolls as they narrated stories in song or verse. The paintings would depict different episodes from the tales, serving as a visual aid to engage listeners. Over time, this storytelling tradition became less prominent, but the art form itself has been preserved and is now recognized as a cultural treasure of Telangana. Cheriyal scrolls are known for their distinctive style, characterized by vibrant colors, bold outlines, and a clear narrative structure. The scrolls are long, with multiple panels that each depict a different scene or episode from a story. The style is heavily influenced by local folk art traditions, with exaggerated expressions and simplified figures that enhance the storytelling aspect. The composition is often divided into horizontal panels, with each panel containing a self-contained narrative. Cheriyal paintings are typically not realistic; rather, they are highly stylized, with a focus on storytelling rather than naturalistic depiction. Materials and Methods Cheriyal scroll paintings are made using natural materials, which gives them their characteristic richness and durability. The base of the scroll is usually made from a combination of khadi cotton cloth and tamarind seed paste, which is coated with a mixture of white mud, rice starch, and gum to create a smooth surface for painting. The artists then draw the outlines of the figures and scenes with natural black ink before filling in the vibrant colors. Traditionally, the colors are made from natural pigments—red from tamarind seeds, yellow from turmeric, and blue from indigo. The brushes used are made from squirrel hair to allow for intricate detailing. Significance Cheriyal scroll paintings hold immense cultural and historical significance. As an ancient narrative art form, they served as a vital medium of education and entertainment in rural India, helping to preserve and propagate stories, values, and traditions across generations. The scrolls are also a testament to the region’s artistic heritage, showcasing the creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling prowess of the local artisans. Today, Cheriyal scroll paintings are not only valued for their artistic beauty but also for their role in preserving India’s rich oral and visual storytelling traditions. Efforts to revive and sustain this art form have been successful, and Cheriyal scrolls now enjoy recognition both in India and internationally for their unique cultural and artistic contributions. FAQs Can I request a custom Cheriyal Scroll Painting? Yes, we offer customized Cheriyal Scroll Paintings where you can choose the theme, size, and specific episodes you want to feature. Please reach out to us for more information on custom orders. What sizes are available for Cheriyal Scroll Paintings? Cheriyal Scroll Paintings come in a variety of sizes, from smaller pieces ideal for home decor to large, detailed scrolls. You can also request custom sizes to fit your space. How long does it take to make a Cheriyal Scroll Painting? The time required to make a Cheriyal Scroll depends on the size and complexity of the design. Smaller pieces may take a few days, while larger, detailed scrolls can take weeks to complete. Do you offer international shipping for Cheriyal Scroll Paintings? Yes, we provide international shipping for Cheriyal Scroll Paintings. Shipping fees and delivery times may vary depending on your location. Please check our shipping policy for more details.

Product Details

Title	Buy Recording: Online Cheriyal Traditional Mask with Sai Kiran
Vendor	Sai Kiran
Art Style	Cheriyal Scroll
Difficulty Level	Beginner To Intermediate
Workshop Type	Recording
Audio Language	Hindi/English
Materials Included	Yes
Date	0 Days

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What is the difference between Masterclasses and LIVE workshops?

Masterclasses are complete pre-recorded courses of 7-8 parts that have been researched and recorded by us at the Master artists homes. LIVE workshops happen in real time over zoom along with the Master Artist and a small group. Live workshops have different levels. We only have a few Masterclasses right now - Lippan art from Kutch and Pichwai art from Nathdwara, Rajasthan and are producing and adding more every month. While we cover more than 60 heritage art and craft forms in our live workshops already.

I am a beginner, which class would you recommend for me?

You could attend a beginner friendly live workshop (or even a masterclass if its Lippan or Pichwai you are interested in) and then join the foundations or advanced LIVE workshops. The different levels for the LIVE workshops are- Beginner, Foundations and Advancedyour store.

Are materials included in the masterclasses and LIVE workshops?

Materials are not included in the masterclasses but you can order from our list of authentic art kits and materials in addition to the masterclass. For the live workshops, materials are included in some of the live workshops as part of the workshop and it would be mentioned in the workshop description.

What is covered in the different levels of the LIVE workshops and in the Masterclasses?

Beginner Friendly- These are usually 1-2 classes of 2 hours each and one of the simpler artworks and motifs of that art style are covered in the beginner friendly workshops as an introduction to that art form.
Foundations- In the foundations live workshops, the workshops are structured to teach you the basic motifs and foundations of that art style , the focus is not on completing a painting but the elements taught in each class are incorporated in a painting and a few different compositions are also taught
Advanced- in the Advanced live workshop, usually the focus is on completing a more elaborate and intricate painting - no basic motifs are covered in the advanced workshops.
Masterclass-A masterclass is structured as 7-8 pre-recorded classes covering introduction of the artform, introduction of the artist, introduction of the different traditional materials used in that art and then 3 artworks are usually taught ranging from beginner to intermediate.

Do I get a certificate for completing a LIVE Workshop or a Masterclass?

Yes, going forward, our platform will automatically award you a certificate on behalf of MeMeraki for completing a workshop with us and being a patron of the arts. This will be accessible via the ‘My Workshops’ section under each workshop that you have attended after Nov 2021.

I do not live in India, can I still attend a LIVE Workshop? Will you ship materials internationally?

Yes, we have many patrons attending our workshops from across the world. We ship the art kits internationally for the workshops where materials are included. International shipping charges are INR2000. Even if you are ordering an art kit separately in addition to a MASTERCLASS, we can ship internationally.

Will I have access to the recording of the workshop after the workshop?

Yes, you will be able to access the recording of all the workshops you have attended through the ‘My Workshops’ section to be able to practice at your own pace later.

What happens to the recordings of the previous workshops I have attended?

The previous workshops recordings will still be available to you via google drive as earlier. But going forward for all new workshops post Nov 2021, the workshops will be accessible through our website and platform only.

Buy Recording: Online Cheriyal Traditional Mask with Sai Kiran

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Sai Kiran Dhanalakota

Cheriyal Scroll

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