photo: Seraikella Chhau Dance

The forthcoming Keli Festival scheduled on the 28th, 29th and 30th January 2010 will feature the different traditions of Chhau Dance. The festival will feature some of the most outstanding exponents representing each of the three traditions.

KELI is a Mumbai based organisation striving to preserve, develop and propagate the classical cultural heritage of India, many of which are now on the verge of extinction. Keli has been active in this field for over 17 years now and during this period has successfully handled a number of important projects in furtherance of its objectives. The annual Keli festival, structured thematically every year are well known to artists and art lovers of the city and have earned the organisation a significant place in the cultural life of Mumbai.

Chhau is a dance-drama form prevalent in Eastern India.  There are three major forms of Chhau, each known by its geographic location.  These are Purulia Chhau of West Bengal, Mayurbhanj Chhau of Orissa and Seraikella Chhau of Bihar (now Jharkhand).  Although they are all known as Chhau, their styles differ considerably in terms of their cultural background and their dance characteristics.  The complexity of this form lies in the fact that it represents the folk-classical continuum, considerably influenced by the tribal, ritualistic, martial and classical traditions of region.  The Seraikella and Purulia Chhau wear masks while the Mayurbhanj Chhau does not.  Chhau is tradionally danced during the annual Chaitra Parva (Spring) Festival dedicated to Ardhanareeswara as a prayer for abundant harvest.  It is a particularly strong virile form in which the sinuous and fluid body movements are animated by a raw and primal energy.  Associated with Lord Shiva, it is the dance of the warrior and the ascetic, traditionally performed only by men.  Broadly, the Chhau of Purulia can be said to be robust and virile, of Mayurbhanj earthy and vibrant and of Seraikella poetic and evocative.

January 28, 2010 at Y B Chavan Centre, Nariman Point by 6.45 pm -
Purulia Chhau,
By Shri Paresh P. D. Parit and Group (Purulia Chhau Dance Academy, Jharkhand)

This form of Chhau Dance developed and grew in the region of Purulia and Midnapur in West Bengal.  It has developed a special characteristic with its fabulous masks and elaborate costumes.  The traditional theme of the dance-drama of Purulia Chhau is the entire Ramayana enacted in 28 scenes which has now been abridged to selected episodes.  Also, scenes from the Mahabharata and Puranas are often included in the repertoire.  The performance is marked by forceful abstractions of body kinetics, leaps and acrobatics exuding primeval energy.

Photo: Purulia, Mayurbhanj and Seraikella Chhau Dance

January 29, 2010 at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu by 7.00 pm -
Mayurbhanj Chhau
By Guru Maheswas Mohanta and group. (Rengalbeda Chhau Nrutya Pratisthan, Mayurbhanj)

Mayurbhanj Chhau belongs to the Mayurbhanj district of Orissa.  Of the three traditions of Chhau Mayurbhanj Chhau is the only form that does not use masks.  Even so, this tradition, like the other two styles of Chhau, relies principally on the language of the body movements to capture and project emotions and sentiments.  The absence of the mask only allows greater freedom of movement.  Traditionally Mayurbhanj dance has never been a solo dance.  Performances are predominently group items interspersed with short solos.  Because of the exceptionally strenuous nature of the dance, solo items are relatively short.  The repertoire extends from simple themes such as hunting and fishing to animal dances like Mayur Nritya, and to dances of deities like Hanuman and Nataraja.  It also includes episodes from Hindu mythology and legends.

January 30, 2010, at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu by, 7.00 pm –
Seraikella Chhau
By Guru Gopal Prasad Dubey and group. (Trinetra Chhau Dance Centre, Seraikella)

Seraikella Chhau dance, coming from the geographical area of the same name in Jharkhand developed out of a confluence of folk, classical, ritual and martial traditions of the region.  Like the other two traditions of Chhau, this form is also danced during the Chaitra Parva Festival.  Many of the dance pieces of this form are based on animal or natural images such as peacock, butterfly, ocean, etc. or worldly characters such as hunter or boatman.  Episodes from Indian epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata also form part of the repertoire.  The mask in the Seraikella Chhau dance is a vital element in the dance and with its distinctive sophistication gives the sensation of rhythmic flow, delicacy and lyricism.  The head dress accentuates the effect of the mask.

The Festival will be Presented by Axis Bank & Supported by Birla Kerala Vaidyashala.

For further information, please contact K Ramachandran, Director of Keli Festival (9820835737) – Email: ramk.keli@gmail.com

FREE ENTRY PASSES ARE AVAILABLE
At venues, Rhythm House & Giri stores, Matunga.

Check out these stories also:

1. 11th Mumbai Film Festival open with ‘The Informant’
2. Waswo X Waswo presents the premiere of his series New Myths
3. Reliance Big Entertainment and Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment to produce ‘Dark Void’
4. UNESCO ITALIA Photo Exhibition

Custom Search