The fearless story monster in Cheriyal mask by Sai Kiran

This magnificient Cheriyal mask belongs to the vibrant storytelling tradition of Telangana, where performers use bold, exaggerated faces to bring folklore and epic characters to life. Crafted from lightweight materials like tamarind seed paste, cloth and paper; and painted in striking colors, these masks are meant to be dramatic, expressive and instantly readable from a distance.

This mask has an unforgettable presence with striped blue horns, wide circular eyes, thick moustache, sharp white tusks and a golden nose that sits at the center like a spotlight. What makes it especially intriguing is the scorpion painted on the tongue, turning a simple detail into a powerful symbol. The black outlines and strong color contrasts give the face a theatrical intensity, almost like a character stepping out of a comic book or a fantasy tale. Its wide, unflinching eyes and exaggerated features echo the kolli kannu of Drishti paintings, where seeing and being seen becomes a quiet act of protection. Like the guardian faces once painted on Tamil Nadu’s walls, this mask turns bold imagery into a watchful presence that marks space and absorbs unseen harm.

One can imagine this as the story monster of a performance, not evil but fearless and attention-grabbing, the kind of character who appears suddenly, makes the audience gasp and then becomes oddly fascinating. The scorpion on the tongue hints that his words can sting, his presence commands attention and his role in the story is impossible to ignore.

Each of our artworks are hand painted by master artists across India. We provide a digital authentication certificate with this artwork signed by the artist which will be sent over email after 3-4 days of delivery of the artwork.

View Sample Here

The sizes mentioned are excluding the borders of the artwork. Frames shown are for visual representation only and are not included with the artwork.

Customisation

Most artworks can be customised in terms of colours, size and elements to fit your requirements.

For custom artwork orders, please use the WhatsApp chat below or email us at wecare@memeraki.com to discuss your requirements in more detail.

Framing Services

No, we currently sell artworks unframed (unless explicitly mentioned otherwise) and do not provide framing services.

We ship worldwide.

Domestic Orders

All prices are inclusive of GST and applicable Indian taxes.

• We offer free shipping on orders above ₹1999 for all artworks, except Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri.
• A flat shipping rate of ₹499 applies to orders below ₹1999.

Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri

Shipping is charged on a per-kilogram basis, due to the delicate and bulky nature of these items.

International Orders

• A flat shipping charge of ₹4,000 applies to international artwork orders.
• Customs duties, taxes, or import charges in the buyer’s country are not included and must be borne by the buyer.
• Shipping rates for Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri artworks will be calculated based on weight.

Additonal Shipping Charges

Extra charges may be applicable for both domestic and international deliveries in the following cases:

• If the article requires additional packaging (such as a wooden crate) to ensure safe shipping due to its delicate nature.
• Custom-framed artworks.
• Artworks where shorter side exceeds 36 inches or Decor items with any side over 35 inches.
• If you request express shipping. Contact support to check availability.
• The order contains more than two different product types.

You can proceed with your purchase, and our team will contact you to confirm any applicable additional shipping charges before processing your order. Alternatively, reach out to us on WhatsApp or email, and we'll assist you in completing your purchase with the final pricing.

All artworks are handmade and couriered securely packed in a tube.

Ready To Ship/ In Stock artworks are shipped in under 2 weeks. We only accept return requests for Ready to Ship/ In stock artworks placed within a week from date of delivery. However, no returns can be accepted for international deliveries.

Once your order is placed, our team stays in constant communication with the artist to track the progress and ensure the quality of your order. You will receive regular updates from us throughout this process.

All MeMeraki artworks are hand-painted. In rare occasions, artist may face delays due to weather, health, prior commitments or force majeure. Our team will reach out to you with revised timelines in case of such delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience in such situations.

All artworks on the website are hand painted from scratch by our master artists. This makes every artwork absolutely unique and the actual colour and overall artwork may vary slightly from the artwork image posted here.