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Blue Cheriyal Mask – Hand-painted Telangana Folk Art
  • Blue Cheriyal Mask – Hand-painted Telangana Folk Art
Blue Cheriyal Mask – Hand-painted Telangana Folk Art

Blue Cheriyal Mask – Hand-painted Telangana Folk Art

Rs. 1,500.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Description

Indigo has a long history across the Deccan as one of the few naturally sourced blues available to painters and dyers, and it's this cooling, saturated blue that this Cheriyal mask pair carries onto the wall. The craft itself comes from the village of Cheriyal near Warangal in Telangana, where the Nakashi community has practised mask-making for close to 400 years, a lineage recognised with a Geographical Indication tag in 2010.

Each mask starts as a wooden core built up with tamarind seed paste and sawdust, shaped by hand and left to dry over several days — faster in summer, slower through the monsoon — before a white lime undercoat is applied and the artist paints in the features using natural pigments and a fine brush, working freehand rather than from a stencil. This is the same process once used to make the masks that travelling storytellers held aloft during performances of local ballads and religious tales, a tradition that now survives through only a handful of practising families.

The cool blue tone suits a study, home office, or any reading corner where you want a calmer visual anchor rather than a bright, high-energy colour, while still bringing an authentic piece of Telangana's folk art history into the room.

Material: Tamarind seed powder, sawdust, cotton cloth, natural colours

Dimensions: 5 inches x 5 inches x 3 inches (pair)
Frequently Asked Questions

What gives the mask its blue colour?
Natural pigments applied by hand over a white lime base — the same painting method used across the Cheriyal tradition, regardless of the final shade chosen.

Is each mask in the pair identical?
No, they represent a male and a female face, each with its own headgear and jewellery detail, designed to be displayed together.

How do I hang the masks?
A loop is fixed to the back of each piece for direct wall mounting; no separate frame is required.

What's the best way to clean it?
Dust with a soft, dry cloth only. Water, cleaning sprays, and prolonged sun exposure will damage both the base and the pigment.

Can I hang this in a covered outdoor verandah?
It's best reserved for indoor walls, since even a covered outdoor space usually carries more humidity and light exposure than the piece is suited to.

Is this a good gift for someone with a study or home office?
Yes, the calmer blue tone works particularly well as a focal piece in a workspace or reading room.
Time to Dispatch

Time of Dispatch: 3-4 working days from placing of order.
Instruction for Care

Wipe using a clean soft cloth for dusting. Keep away from water and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Brand Philosophy

When you order from EthniiChic, you receive more than just a product—you bring home a piece of India’s cultural heritage.

Each creation is handcrafted with care, hand-painted with authentic traditional art forms, and finished to perfection for lasting quality.

Expect vibrant storytelling through design, eco-conscious craftsmanship, and timely, well-packaged delivery that ensures your order arrives safe and ready to adorn your space / yourself.
DISCLAIMER

At EthniiChic, we celebrate the artistry of handmade products, each lovingly crafted by skilled artisans.

Due to this unique handmade nature, minor variations and subtle surface textures are natural and should be embraced as hallmarks of authentic charm and individuality, rather than defects.

Please note that the actual colors of our products may vary slightly depending on your device's screen resolution and any accessories shown in product images are for styling purposes only and are not included with your purchase.

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