Location:
Open-Air Museum, Red Fort, New Delhi, India, as part of the inaugural India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale (2023).
Time Period Taken:
The project was completed within a time period of 2-2.5 months and involved design, prototyping, technical detailing, fabrication, finishing, assembly, and installation.
Project Concept:
Human emotions influence every aspect of our lives. They shape our thoughts, decisions, relationships, and the way we respond to the world around us. Yet, in an increasingly fast-paced world driven by ambition, comparison, and constant achievement, we often lose touch with our own emotional landscape. The brief was to create more than an art installation. It was conceived as an opportunity for viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the emotions that quietly govern their everyday lives.
The concept draws inspiration from the ancient Indian philosophy of the three gunas, Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas also known as SaTaRa, the inherent qualities believed to shape human nature. Sattva represents clarity, compassion, and balance. Rajas embodies ambition, desire, and constant activity, while Tamas signifies inertia, ignorance, and emotional darkness. Rather than existing independently, these qualities coexist within every individual, continuously influencing thoughts, actions, and behaviour.
The concept of SaTaRa translates this philosophy into a contemporary public installation that encourages introspection. Through the symbolic representation of the three gunas, the installation by MeMeraki invites visitors to ask themselves a simple yet profound question: "How am I feeling today?" In doing so, it seeks to awaken empathy, encourage self-awareness, and inspire a more conscious understanding of the emotional forces that shape our lives.
Artform
To bring the concept of SaTaRa to life, MeMeraki sought an art form capable of expressing human emotions through visual storytelling. Cheriyal masks emerged as the ideal choice. Traditionally crafted to portray distinct characters through expressive facial features, they possess a remarkable ability to communicate personality, emotion, and narrative without the need for words.
Originating from the village of Cheriyal in Telangana, these masks evolved alongside the renowned Cheriyal scroll paintings created by the Nakashi artist community. They were traditionally used by wandering storytellers during village fairs, or Jataras, to enact episodes from mythology, folklore, and everyday life. Every expression, colour, and sculpted detail contributed to bringing these stories to life, making the masks an integral part of India's oral storytelling tradition.
For SaTaRa, this heritage was reinterpreted in a contemporary context. Instead of representing mythological characters, the masks embody the three gunas that influence human nature. Their expressive forms invite viewers to recognise these qualities within themselves, transforming a traditional storytelling medium into a powerful tool for self-reflection. Through this installation, Cheriyal continues its enduring legacy of storytelling while finding renewed relevance in conversations around emotional awareness, empathy, and conscious living.
Artist
SaTaRa was brought to life through a collaboration between MeMeraki's design team and a group of accomplished Cheriyal artists led by Saikiran Dhanalakota, one of the foremost contemporary practitioners of the craft. Belonging to a lineage of traditional Cheriyal artists, Saikiran has dedicated his practice to preserving and reimagining this heritage art form for contemporary audiences. Through thoughtful interpretations and innovative applications, he continues to ensure that Cheriyal remains relevant while staying rooted in its traditional identity.
The installation was realised with the support of fellow Cheriyal artists Sravan Kumar Dhanalakota, Sandeep Amaram, and Srinivas Subramani, whose collective expertise brought the concept to fruition. Their deep understanding of the craft, developed through years of practice and inherited knowledge, ensured that every mask remained faithful to the artistic traditions of Cheriyal while responding to a contemporary design vision.
Together, the collaboration reflects MeMeraki's commitment to working directly with practising artisans, creating meaningful opportunities for traditional craft communities while demonstrating how India's living artistic heritage can continue to evolve through new forms of storytelling and public engagement.
Techniques and Process of Making
The making of a Cheriyal mask is a time-intensive process that reflects generations of inherited craftsmanship. Every stage is carried out by hand, requiring patience, precision, and a deep understanding of traditional techniques that have been preserved within the Cheriyal artist community.
The process begins with carving and preparing a wooden base, which serves as the foundation of the mask. A carefully prepared mixture of tamarind seed paste and sawdust is then layered over the surface to create volume and define the facial features. Once the desired form is achieved, layers of cotton cloth are applied to strengthen the structure, followed by a smooth coating that prepares the surface for painting.
After the mask has dried naturally, it is hand-painted with intricate details that bring each expression to life. Every brushstroke is carefully considered, from the contours of the eyes and eyebrows to the subtle curves of the lips, ensuring that the final form communicates the intended emotion and character. The result is a striking balance between sculptural craftsmanship and painterly expression, allowing the masks to serve not only as artistic objects but also as powerful vehicles for storytelling and cultural memory.Materials
Cheriyal masks are crafted using natural and locally sourced materials that have been integral to the tradition for generations. The primary sculpting medium is a mixture of tamarind seed paste and sawdust, which provides both strength and flexibility. Layers of cotton cloth reinforce the structure, while a coating of white clay and tree gum creates a smooth surface for painting.
Once prepared, the masks are finished with hand-painted colours that define their distinctive expressions and visual character. Every material is carefully chosen not only for its functional qualities but also for its compatibility with traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations.
By continuing to use these time-honoured materials, Cheriyal artists preserve the authenticity of the craft while demonstrating the enduring value of sustainable, artisanal practices. The result is a body of work that remains deeply connected to its cultural lineage, even as it finds new expression through contemporary installations like SaTaRa.
Design Elements
The visual language of SaTaRa is centred around three monumental Cheriyal masks, each representing one of the three gunas that shape human nature. While rooted in traditional craftsmanship, the installation reinterprets these forms through scale and symbolism, inviting viewers to engage with them as reflections of their own emotional state.
The Sattvik mask is characterised by soft features, gently closed eyes, and a serene expression, conveying clarity, compassion, and inner balance. The Rajsik mask features an alert gaze and defined facial contours that express ambition, desire, and constant activity. In contrast, the Tamsik mask is marked by heavier brows and a more intense expression, symbolising inertia, ignorance, and emotional unrest.
The varying scale of the three masks further reinforces their symbolic presence, encouraging visitors to pause before each form and contemplate the qualities they embody. Positioned as an immersive installation rather than individual artworks, the masks transform philosophical ideas into a shared visual experience. Together, they encourage a dialogue between heritage, emotion, and self-reflection, allowing an age-old storytelling tradition to speak to contemporary audiences in a meaningful and accessible way.
People's Reaction
SaTaRa drew visitors in with its scale, expressive masks, and interactive concept. Many stopped to observe the installation, take photographs, and spend time looking at the expressions of each mask. As they moved from one mask to another, they began discussing what the three forms represented and which qualities they related to the most.
The installation encouraged people to slow down and reflect on the simple question, "How am I feeling today?" For many, it became a moment to pause in the middle of a busy day and think about their own emotions.
It also introduced many visitors to the Cheriyal tradition for the first time. Seeing the craft presented in a contemporary installation helped people connect with its storytelling heritage in a new way. More than anything, SaTaRa showed how a traditional art form can continue to connect with people and remain meaningful in the present day.
