Orange Cheriyal Mask – Hand-painted Telangana Folk Art
Description
Marigold is the flower most associated with auspicious occasions across India — strung over doorways, offered at temples, scattered at weddings — and its bright orange is the tone carried by this pair of Cheriyal masks, handmade in the village of Cheriyal near Warangal in Telangana. The mask-making tradition here goes back roughly 400 years, practised by the Nakashi community and awarded a Geographical Indication tag in 2010.
Each mask begins as a wooden core built up with tamarind seed paste and sawdust, left to dry over several days, then coated in white lime before an artist paints the face entirely by hand using natural pigments, working the eyes, jewellery, and headgear detail with a fine brush. It's the same method once used to make masks for the Chindu storytelling tradition, where performers held these painted faces up before a crowd to bring scenes from religious ballads and local folklore to life — a craft that today survives through only a small number of practising Nakashi families.
Given its association with celebration, this orange pair works well hung near an entryway or a pooja-room-adjacent wall, and makes a fitting gift for Diwali, a housewarming, or any occasion where a bright, auspicious colour feels appropriate.
Material: Tamarind seed powder, sawdust, cotton cloth, natural colours
Dimensions: 5 inches x 5 inches x 3 inches (pair)
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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.