The Chhau Nritya Mahotsav, the biggest festival in Seraikela inaugurated by Khunti MP Kariya Munda on Sunday witnessed some mesmerising performances by Mamata Shankar Dance Company and Kathak by Ragini Makkhar and her group from Indore. More than 5,000 people attended the event at the Bhagwan Birsa Munda stadium in Seraikela.
“The event serves a platform for the artists to perform and show their talent. Chhau was born in Seraikela, when one guru from the royal palace went to Purulia and developed a new style and other went to Mayurbhanj in Odisha. We can groom the dance form with more professionalism and innovation and make it an international dance form,” said Bijay Kumar Sahu, one of the Seraikela chhau gurus at the Rajkiya Chhau Nritya Kala Kendra.
Mamata Shankar said that chhau is an integral part of a culture but at the same time, it should be promoted and must be presentable on stage. She went on to add that the dance form reflects the culture of Jharkhand.
Dancers from the Mamata Shankar Dance Company performed the Uday Shankar form on songs like an autumn dance welcoming Durga Puja and kite flying based on various songs and instrumental.
On the first day of the Seraikela chhau, Manbhum chhau, Nritya Utsav, Mayurbhanj chhau and other folk forms like Bihu, Kalayaripattu and Goti Pua was also performed.