. Kakatiya Art - Paintings ?

  Kakatiya era boasted of many paintings and murals. The Chitrasala of Machal Devi, the favourite courtesan of King Prataparudra was famous for its religious as well as erotic paintings. Unfortunately the Chitrasala and the Chitra Mandapa with paintings depicting scenes from battles fought by the heroic Brahma Naidu, were destroyed during the Tughlaq attack. Only a few faded remains of Kakatiya paintings can be seen in the temples of Pillalamarri, Ghanpur and Palampet significant being them the portrayal of Samudra manthan in blue. Lack of documentation, in depth research and the sorry condition of the few remaining paintings have been responsible for the loss of this treasure to the ravages of time. All we have today are inscriptions and epigraphical records.

There were 1500 painters living in and around Waranagal, according to Pratapa Charitram, so the style did not loose away completely but found a new expression and medium in scroll paintings. Patachitra was how masses were educated about mythology and religion. Cheriyala, a village in Warangal District, still preserves this tradition of making scrolls and the art has been conferred a GI tag. The Cheriyala paintings show traces of the kakatiya style, few samples of which are found in the temples of the Kaktiya era. Since the scrolls are no more used with the changing milieu, the artists of Cheriyala now paint small scenes that can be framed and used as souvenirs. The paintings is done on a khsdi cloth which is treated thrice with a mixture of clay, tamarind seeds and gum. then the outline is done with a brush of squirrel hair and is later filled with natural colours. The colours come from stones, flowers and seeds available locally and the artists guarantee its long life and lustre. Inspite of its vibrancy and earthy feel, the art has few takers today and sadly is on the verge of fading out if nothing is done. 

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