Decoding the Epic Scroll Ramayana by D. Venkatraman

Cheriyal scrolls are a national treasure. Their deep rooted connection to tradition and culture has ensured their consistent perseverance. They undeniably also make the best wall decorations, with no pretentious designs or abstract contortions—just pure culture.

Dhanalakota Venkatraman is quite famous in his field—Cheriyal art. The Dhanalakota family is one of the only few families keeping the art form alive. Yes, Cheriyal, an ancient artform from Telangana with 400 years of legacy and tradition, is still breathing only because of the determination and pure skill of a few remaining families. Venkatraman and family are deeply connected to the art, having grown up around it and with it.

Cheriyal scrolls and cloth paintings traditionally depicted scenes from epic religious tales, which were narrated orally by local travelling storytellers. It was an entire culture in itself. This Ramayana painting by Venkatraman is much like the ones used in those times. It vividly captures Lord Ram’s journey from childhood to matrimony.

The Timeless Epic: Ramayana

The Epic of Ramayana is one that has been told, retold, shaped and reshaped millions of times and yet—it remains timeless. Its enchanting quality of keeping the audience captive is not only because of its climatic magnificence but also because of its depth, its virtual and moral undertones. The religious significance of the tale, with festivals in its honour and temples for the central deities, acts as a connecting thread that ties the whole country together. A major part of its lasting influence on both culture and religion comes from its far reaching accessibility.

The oral form of storytelling might not seem very impressive in today’s day and age, but it contributed heavily to the widespread love and reverence of this epic tale that tells of all metaphysical goods, bads, and greys. Cheriyal is the name of a village in Telangana, but it has gained a more broad meaning. The unique style of painting that originated from this little village has made national headlines now. Cheriyal scroll painting, illustrative paintings on cloth, were used by storytellers as modern day PPTs to present and enhance the whole storytelling experience. These scrolls were monumental in disseminating cultural and religious values to even the remotest of areas. And the tales told weren’t just limited to Ramayana, various tales from Puranas and other religious texts, even the local folk tales, were narrated in this manner.

Ramayana: The Painting

This particular painting, titled Ramayana by D. Venkatraman of the Dhanalakota family, is one that is a tribute to not just the epic tale itself, but also to the ancient art of Cheriyal scroll painting and its cultural significance to the families still practicing it and the locals still its audience.

From the first glance, it is clear that a story is being unfolded. The graphic novel style of the painting gives it a familiarity to both those new to this art and those already well accustomed to it. The orange background, a signature feature of all Cheriyal scrolls, makes it stand out while also blend in with the style of the art form. The yellow border with designs in black and red is also a custom characteristic, giving the painting an unsaid authenticity.

Highlighting The Intricate Details of Ramayana Painting

As one goes to follow the storyline of this painting, the first appearance is that of Lord Ganesh, son of Shiva and Parvati, seated in his signature style at the top left corner. According to age-old tradition in Hinduism, Lord Ganesh is always worshipped and invoked first, before the commencement of any auspicious task or before the worship of any other deity. This is because he is known to be the Remover of Obstacles and the God of Beginnings. A mythological tale known to most Hindu households instantly comes to mind. It goes such that once when Lord Ganesh and his elder brother Kartikeya had gotten into a fight over who was more powerful and wise, a race was proposed. Whoever would circle the entire universe thrice and come back first, would win. When the race began and Kartikeya left on his peacock to circle the realms, Ganesh moved to circle around his parents thrice and claimed he had circled his universe. This ultimate show of wit and virtue led him to be declared the clear winner—with the vardaan (boon) that he’ll be the first to be invoked in all religious occasions. The addition of Lord Ganesh in the painting is a religious two-parter. It is the artist invoking the Remover of Obstacles and also giving the storyteller his chance to do the same.

After this, the story begins in earnest. The first frame shows Lord Ram, his brothers, and parents greeting Guru Vashishta. Again, the painting says much without really saying anything at all. It is clear to the knower of the tale that Vashishta has come to bless the young princes. In the very next frame, we see Lord Ram and Laxman taking their leave from their father, the King, to begin their Brahmacharya life under the guidance of Vashishta. The frames go on in chronological succession, depicting with clarity how the tale goes. It is an interesting feature of the Cheriyal art form that it does not quite give you everything, leaving much to the imagination. In this case, we see no surrounding details of the ornate palaces and the dense forests. They are hinted at with simply a solo tree, a curtain, or a pillar. And yet, in a complex contrast, the things that are portrayed are detailed to a tee. The royals with their heavy ornaments, each of their drapes accentuated. Whether it is the fine detailing or the overall picture, this masterfully created painting by the master artist D. Venkatraman has proved itself a masterpiece.

The Dhanalakota family is truly a powerhouse of talent, skill and legacy. And they’re not keeping it to themselves, they teach their techniques and crafts passed down generation by generation, to art enthusiasts, beginners, and seasoned artists alike in the Cheriyal Course in collaboration with Rooftop App—an app for all things traditional, artistic and authentic.