Yellow Cheriyal Mask – Hand-painted Telangana Folk Art

In Telangana households, yellow has always carried a specific meaning — it is the colour of haldi, mixed into water and smeared on doorframes before a wedding or a housewarming, a shade reserved for beginnings. This pair of Cheriyal masks carries that same warm ochre into a wall-mounted form, cast in the 400-year-old Nakashi tradition of the village of Cheriyal near Warangal, a craft that earned its Geographical Indication tag in 2010 for being practised nowhere else in the country.

Each face begins as a base of tamarind seed paste and sawdust built up over a wooden core, dried over several days, then coated in a fine white lime layer before the artist paints the features by hand — the arched brows, the coiled ornaments, the exaggerated eyes that were designed to be read from a distance, back when travelling Chindu storytellers held these very masks aloft to punctuate a scene from a ballad for a gathered village crowd. What was once a storytelling prop has, over generations, become a wall piece, kept alive today by only a handful of Nakashi families still working in tamarind and sawdust.

The pair — one male face, one female, each with its own turban or headpiece and jewellery detail — is designed to be hung together, a fitting choice for a home that has just been set up, or as a housewarming gift for someone starting a new chapter.

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

Dimensions: 5 inches x 5 inches x 3 inches (pair)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this handmade, or moulded and mass-produced?
Entirely handmade. The base is hand-built from tamarind seed paste and sawdust, and every face is hand-painted, so you may notice small variations in line work from one mask to the next — that's part of what makes it a genuine piece of folk art rather than a factory copy.

How do I hang it?
Each mask has a loop fixed to the back, so it can be hung directly on a nail or hook. No additional frame or hardware is needed, though you're welcome to frame it if you prefer that look.

How should I clean and maintain it?
Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust. Avoid water, damp cloths, or cleaning sprays, since the base materials and natural colours aren't moisture-resistant.

Can it be kept outdoors, like on a balcony or verandah?
It's made for indoor display. Direct sun, rain, or humidity will fade the colours and weaken the tamarind-sawdust base over time.

Is this a good housewarming or festive gift?
Yes — the colour and the craft both carry auspicious associations in Indian tradition, making it a thoughtful choice for a new home, Diwali, or any first-of-something occasion.

Do the two masks in the pair look different from each other?
Yes, they're designed as a male and female pair, each with distinct facial features, headgear, and ornamentation, meant to be displayed side by side.