“Our journey into the world of art begins in the historic town of Cheriyal in Telangana, where we have deep-rooted connections as we are one among the very few families who are still continuing the ancestral art of Cheriyal Scroll paintings. Though we’ve found our home in Hyderabad, our hearts remain firmly tied to Cheriyal, and our family is one of the few striving to keep this unique art alive for generations to come.

In a time when storytellers were the heart and soul of entertainment, they roamed from village to village, sharing tales through songs, ballads, poetry, puppetry, and art. These captivating narratives were accompanied by scrolls of paintings, handcrafted by artists like us.

Our dad, D. Vaikuntam garu, a master craftsman and a National Awardee from Telangana, has been our guiding star in preserving this age-old tradition.

Our artistic inspiration flows from the rich tapestry of mythology, folklore, stories from diverse communities, and everyday life. With every brushstroke, we weave the essence of Telangana into our artwork.

We’re thrilled that our art has crossed regional boundaries, and we’re on a mission to make ‘Cheriyal Scroll Paintings’ a global sensation by sharing our creations far and wide.

• Rakesh & Vinay, Cheriyal Nakashi artists