Hyderabad: A Cheriyal art event was held at the B.M. Birla Science Centre on Wednesday as a prelude to a workshop, scheduled from January 20-22, that aims to explore science through traditional folk art.
The Cheriyal art form is a scroll painting, generally used by traditional folk singers as visual aids for stories they are narrating. The art is indigenous to Telangana and frames are laid out one after another, like a comic strip. It was once considered a crucial tool of communication as it was also used by teachers to tutor the uneducated, and locals to spread moral values and messages.
On Wednesday, Fast India in collaboration with the B.M. Birla Science Centre and Planetarium held the ‘Communicating Science Through Cheriyal Art’ event, wherein participants created unique paintings based on their concepts.
Saikiran Varma Dhanalakota, a city-based artist who is a Cheriyal expert, led the event alongside Dr Bitasta Das, an instructor of humanities at IISc, Bengaluru, who has been at the forefront of bridging the gap between folk art and science.
“Art isn't the first thing that comes to people's mind when they hear the word ‘science’, in fact, it is considered to be the opposite of it. But our ancestors would disagree. Art has the power to express and explain complex details, why not something as essential as science? This workshop was also a great opportunity to help revive the dwindling art of Cheriyal art,” said Dr Das who is also an author, educator, and TEDx speaker.
Dhanalakota said, “Traditional folk arts, such as Cheriyal, represent indigenous knowledge and values, and their use in science communication can help to humanise science and make it relevant for Indian audiences. The workshop looked at how modern scientific ideas and concepts can be expressed through this ancient art form.”
The event was organised as a precursor to the three-day workshop that will be held at the Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, as part of the India Science Festival 2023.
The final artworks from the workshop will be displayed at the ISF 2023.
