Cheriyal stories adorn the walls inside the Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad

Resplendent murals done in Cheriyal art adorn the walls inside the Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad

“A slice of Cheriyal is in Rashtrapati Nilayam,” says artist Dhanalakota Saikiran as he walks us through the 163-foot kitchen tunnel at Rashatrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad. Ever since the President’s official winter retreat was thrown open to the public after a makeover, people have been making a beeline to peek into the estate that serves as the Southern sojourn. A covered corridor connecting the kitchen and dining hall, is now resplendent with murals, masks, and animal heads in the Telangana folk art form of Cheriyal.

The mural painting team comprises Nagilla Ganesh and his two daughters Yamani and Ashvini. Dhanalakota Rakesh, Vinay and Sravan Kumar, Nampally Abhilash Varma; Dhanalakota Nageshwar and Padma, and Ramigiri Anudeep, painted the masks and animal heads.

At the end of the corridor, there are two boards recounting the history of the kitchen tunnel and of Cheriyal art.

“We feel privileged to paint a section of this prestigious building. Our art has embellished the walls of Rashtrapati Nilayam and brought honour to Cheriyal,” says Saikiran, who now lives in Hyderabad. The 400-year-old art form named after the village is a stylized version of the Nakashi art form typical of the Telangana region.

Having learnt Cheriyal art from their father Ganesh, Yamini and Ashwini call this a memorable experience. Painting for around 10 years now, the duo have travelled with their father for projects in Nagpur, Lucknow and Khajuraho. “It feels nice to see Cheriyal art occupy a special place on the walls of the kitchen tunnel,” says Yamini.