President Murmu honours Telangana Cheriyal artist at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Telangana Cheriyal artist Dhanalakota Saikiran was honoured by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan during the ‘Artist-in-Residence’ programme. Representing the State along with NP Gnaneshwar, he received national recognition for his contribution to traditional Cheriyal painting
Published Date - 24 April 2026, 09:44 PM
Hyderabad: Dhanalakota Saikiran, a young Cheriyal artist from Telangana, was honoured by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi during the ‘Artist-in-Residence’ programme.
Saikiran, who lives in Gajularamaram, stayed at Rashtrapati Bhavan as a guest for a week as part of the programme. Rashtrapati Bhavan officials had invited artists from across India, including the Telugu States, to take part in the programme.
Telangana was represented by two artists – Saikiran for Cheriyal painting and NP Gnaneshwar for Nirmal paintings. Saikiran told ‘Telangana Today’ that he was honoured by the President and presented with a replica of Rashtrapati Bhavan, permanently gold-plated with 24-carat gold using Swiss technology.
Saikiran holds a Fine Arts (Painting) degree and has participated in both online and offline workshops and Cheriyal painting exhibitions across India. He has received State and national awards for his work in Cheriyal art.