Chapter 1: Cheriyal Artist Introduction D.Nageshwar

1. Artist Introduction Nageshwar Dhanalakota

Nageshwar Dhanalakota is a senior artist from the Nakash family of Cheriyal artists in Telangana with an experience that spans more than 20 years.

2. Dhanalakota Nageshwar introducing the art of Cheriyal

Learn all about Cheiryal painting – also known as the Nakashi art – a popular kind of scroll painting in India. 

 

Chapter 2: Cheriyal History of Cheriyal

1. History of Cheriyal

Join in as two budding artists from the the Dhanalakota family, Sai Kiran and his brother, take you through the historical journey of Cheriyal art.

 

Chapter 3: The Story of Cheriyal Paintings

 

1. The Story of Cheriyal Paintings

Learn all about the unique storytelling methods of Cheriyal painting.

 

Chapter 4: Cheriyal Preparation of Cloth

 

1. Preparation of Cloth

In this module, we will teach you the preparation of the cloth canvas.

 

Chapter 5: Cheriyal Tradition Behind Cheriyal Art

 

1. Understanding Traditions Behind Cheriyal Art

Nageshwar Dhanalakota opens a treasure trove of his experience as he speaks briefly about the rich traditions of this art. 

 

2. Dhanalakota Wives

Supporting their husbands in the Cheriyal tradition, these women artists have proven to be a strong pillar in carrying forward the Cheriyal legacy.

 

Chapter 6: Cheriyal Colour Making

1. Basics of Cheriyal Colours

In this module, learn about the colours used in Cheriyal painting, their source, and the technicalities involved in preparing them for the canvas.

2. Two Yellows and Black

The artists distinguish between the two shades of yellow used and also teach you about the black paint used in Cheriyal art.

3. Use of Tirumani Gond

Here, the artist talks about the natural binder used to keep the pigments stuck on the canvas.

4. Red

The artist explains the making of natural red paint for Cheriyal paintings.

5. Yellow

The artist explains the making of natural yellow paint for Cheriyal paintings.

6. Blue

The artist explains the making of natural blue paint for Cheriyal paintings.

7. White

The artist explains the making of natural white paint for Cheriyal paintings.

8. Black

The artist explains the making of natural black paint for Cheriyal paintings.

9. Mixing Colours

The artist explains the mixing of natural paints to create different colours for Cheriyal paintings.

 

Chapter 7: Cheriyal Themes and Borders

1. Understanding the different types of Borders in Cheriyal Painting

In this module, learn about the importance of understanding different types of borders.

2. Demonstration of Border making process I

In this module, the artists will show you the first type of border you can use in Cheriyal paintings.

3. Demonstration of Border making process II

In this module, the artists will show you a second type of border you can use in Cheriyal paintings.

4. Demonstration of Border making process III

In this module, the artists will show you a third type of border you can use in Cheriyal paintings.

5. Demonstration of Border making process IV

In this module, the artists will show you a fourth type of border you can use in Cheriyal paintings.

6. Uses of the different types of Cheriyal borders

In this module, learn about the importance of using different types of borders.

 

Chapter 8: Cheriyal Sketching and Outline

1. Learn Sketching and Outline drawing with Shravan Dhanalakota

Getting down to the actual sketching part, Shravana Dhanalakota – your mentor, explains how a basic sketch of Cheriyal is completed.

2. Learning to Sketch and Outline with Venkat Dhanalakota

Moving further into sketching, we have Venkat Dhanalakota, an award-winning Cheriyal artist, who sheds light on getting the perfect Cheriyal sketch.

 

Chapter 9: Cheriyal Basic Course

1. Recap: What is Cheriyal painting?

In this module, you will be guided through the Basic Course on the Cheriyal art form.

2. The theme of the artwork

Here, the artist explains the themes you will be working on.

3. Steps to keep in mind before we begin

The artist explains the steps taken to prepare the base before starting a traditional Cheriyal artwork.

4. Measuring the Border

The border: The artist tells you about the need and importance of borders.

5. Part One: The figure

In this module, the artist guides you through creating the basic sketch of your artwork.

6. Part Two: Detailing

In this module, the artist adds smaller details to the Cheriyal artwork.

7. Part One: Complete Outlining

In this module, the artist begins with colouring the background in the conventional Cheriyal tradition.

8. Part Two: Filling in the Background: First Coat

In this module, the artist continues the application of the first coat of paint in the background.

9. Part Three: Filling in the Background: Second Coat

In this module, the artist applies the second coat of paint in the background.

10. Part One: Skin Tone

In this module, the artist takes you through the different colours used for the skin of different characters in Cheriyal works.

11. Part Two: Sari

In this module, the artist takes you through the colouring of the character’s clothes.

12. Part Two: Blouse

In this module, the artist takes you through the colouring of the character’s clothes.

13. Part Three Adornments: Pot

In this module, the artist will guide you through filling in the colours for the character’s adornments.

14. Part Three Adornments: Ornaments

In this module, the artist will guide you through filling in the colours for the character’s adornments.

15. Part Three Adornments: Detailing with White

In this module, the artist will guide you through filling in the colours for the character’s adornments.

16. Part One: Border

The artist will show you how to fill in the base colours in the borders.

17. Part Two: Facial features

The artist will now take you through painting the facial features and other details.

18: Part One: Complete Outlining

In this module, the artist will take you through the remaining details needed in this Cheriyal work.

19. Part Two: Detailing

In this module, the artist will take you through other finer details.

20. Detailing the Border

Here, the artist will begin by outlining the borders.

21. Border Design

Here, the artist will add design to the borders.

22. Final Touches

The artist will show how to add finishing touches to the piece to give it a lively and vibrant appearance.

 

Chapter 10: Intermediate Course

1. The theme of the artwork

You shall be guided through the Intermediate Course on the Cheriyal art form in this module. The artists will begin by explaining the theme.

2. Measuring and sanding the cloth

The artist begins with the preparation of the canvas to be used.

3. Measuring the Border

Here, the artist then continues by marking out the borders.

4. Step 1 Drawing Krishna and the cow

In this module, the artist begins with sketching the characters.

5. Step 2 Drawing the tree and the Gopi

In this module, the artist continues to sketch the other characters.

6. Use of colours

Here, the artist goes through the colours that will be required for this particular artwork.

7. Part One: Background outline

In this module, the artist begins by carefully adding the background colour around the characters.

8. Part Two: Filling in the Background First Coat

In this module, the artist continues to apply the first coat of the background colour.

9. Part Three: Filling in the Background Second Coat

In this module, the artist applies the second coat of the background colour.

10. Part One: Tree

Now, you shall begin with adding colour to the tree.

11. Part Two: Krishna’s Blue Skin

The artist guides you through adding colours to Krishna.

12. Part Three: Gopi in Yellow

The artist guides you through adding colours to the Gopi.

13. Part Four: Dresses

In this module, the artist goes through the process of filling colours to the clothes of the characters in your painting.

14. Part Five: Cow and other embellishments

In this module, the artist shows you how to colour in the cow and paint other embellishments in the work.

15. Part Six: Detailing

Post colouring, in this section we will look at adding finer details to the artwork.

16. Outlining

The artist guides you through the process of adding fine outlines in this module.

17. Part One: Detailing

Watch carefully and patiently as the artist is now focusing on adding minute details to the artwork. This is something you cannot afford to go wrong with.

18. Part Two: Final touch-ups

Learn how to add final touch-ups to your paintings. Just a few more steps and your artwork will be ready.

19. Part Three Borders

In this final module of the Intermediate Course, the artist will guide you through the finer details on the borders of this Cheriyal work.

 

Chapter 11: Advanced Course

1. The theme of the artwork

It is important to know the art before actually creating it. Hence here’s the story of the artwork that you will be creating in this module.

2. Preparing the base

Prepare the base with the necessary ingredients as a preliminary step.

3. Step 1 – Making the outline for the Swayamwar scene

For artwork as intricate as Swayamwara, it is necessary to have a well-demarcated outline. Learn how to do it here.

4. Step 2 – Making the outline for the Wedding scene between Ram and Sita

Now that we have an outline for the scene, let’s create an outline for the main characters for the theme.

5. Colouring the Background: First Coat

In this section, you will learn about applying the first coat of colour for the background.

6. Adding the second Coat

For the rest of the sections, we will be applying the second coat of colour.

7. Colouring the Figures

After applying the two coats of colour in the background, start colouring the human figures.

8. Colouring the Dresses

Another step in completing the artwork is adding colour to the garments of our human figures.

9. Colouring the backdrop

A few final steps before completing the artwork are painting the final backdrop with flat colour.

10. Colouring the accessories

Watch the video carefully to understand how the accessories are painted.

11. Colouring Ornaments

The artists demonstrate how to colour the traditional ornaments in Cheriyal art using vibrant colours.

12. Highlighting Ornaments

Artists show how the ornaments of the gods, goddesses and other characters are highlighted through vibrant colours.

13. Adding colour to the borders

The artist shows how borders are created and painted for the Swayamwara theme. It is necessary to use appropriate colour combinations.

14. Top Half

Adding outlines and details is the most difficult and intricate part of the entire process. Make sure you practice on rough paper before implementing it.

15. Bottom Half

Here we continue outlining at the bottom half of the art.

16. Adding the final details

As we move to the final stages of the art, in this video we will learn how to add details to the painting.

17. Decorating the Borders

After adding the details, with the help of a fine brush, you’ll learn how to decorate Cheriyal borders.

 

Chapter 12: Mask Making

1. History of Cheriyal Mask

In this module, you will learn about the Cheriyal Mask Making process and learn its significance in the local culture.

2. Introducing the materials

In this module, the artists will tell you about the materials that are required for making traditional Cheriyal masks.

3. Step One: Making Tamarind Seed Paste

The artist begins by making the tamarind paste.

4. Step Two: Heating the paste

The artist continues working on the tamarind paste for the mask.

5. Step Three: Adding sawdust to the prepared paste

The artist adds sawdust to the paste as the final step for the preparation of the mask base dough.

6. Preparing the Shell

The dough is given a basic facial shape.

7. Making features on the mask: Female

In this module, the artist adds features to the mask base for a female character.

8. Making features on the mask: Male

In this module, the artist adds features to the mask base for a male character.

9. Facial features I

Here, you will be guided through the addition of facial features to the masks.

10. Facial features II

Here, you will be guided through the addition of facial features to the masks.

11. Pasting cotton cloth

The artist will now teach you how to put cotton cloth pieces on the mask, and the reason behind this step.

12. Step 1 – Final Application of Tamarind paste mixed with White Chalk Powder

In this module, the artist shall now add the final ground on the mask.

13. Step 2 – on drying

In this module, the artist shall explain the need for this final ground on the mask, and the next step.

14. How to begin colouring

The artist gives a brief overview of the next steps.

15. Step One – Female Mask Base Colour: First Coat

The artist applies the first coat of the base colour for the female mask.

16. Step Two – Male Mask Base Colour: First Coat

The artist applies the first coat of the base colour for the male mask.

17. Step Three – Base Colour: Second Coat

The artist applies the second coat of the base colour for the female mask.

18. Step Four – The headpieces

The artist applies the second coat of the base colour for the male mask.

19. Step Five – Male Mask Decorating the turban

In this module, the artist starts decorating the male mask’s turban.

20. Step Six – Male Mask Adding earrings and making the eyes

In this module, the artist paints over the earrings and eyes of the male mask.

21. Step Seven – Border making

In this module, the artist paints the details on the male mask.

22. Step Eight – Female Mask: Adding the details

In this module, the artist adds details to the female mask.

23. Step Nine – Male Mask Outlining and Detailing

Here, the artist adds outlines and final details to the male mask.

24. Step Ten – Female Mask Outlining and Detailing

Here, the artist will add outlines and final details to the female mask.

25. Varnish

In this final module of the Mask Making Course, the artist applies varnish to keep the mask paints last longer.

 

Chapter 13: Rapid Fire

1. Rapid Fire

Take a quick glimpse into an amazing interaction with our artist.

 

Chapter 14: Significance of Dolls in Cheriyal

1. Significance of Dolls in Cheriyal

In this module, you will learn about the cultural importance and narrative significance of dolls in Cheriyal art.