Mail News Service
Jamshedpur/Saraikela, Sept 4: Another pillar of Saraikela Chhau Shaili Padma Shri and Guru Mangla Prasad Mohanty passed away today at 7 pm at his Kadma residence in Jamshedpur after prolonged illness. He was 90 years old. He was the recipient of several awards with the honour of Padma Shri in 2009 for his innovative skills in the Saraikela School (Shaili) of Chhau Nritya Kala. He dedicated his life to the preservation and propagation of this traditional dance form across the country. The news of his death spread a [pall of gloom in the Chhau arena of Saraikela.
Chhau Guru Padma Shri Mangla Prasad Mohanty was born on June 10, 1932 at his ancestral home in Kansari Tola of Saraikela. After attaining his BA Degree from Jamshedpur Cooperative College in 1962 he got his Diploma in industrial relations and Social Welfare from the prestigious XLRI in 1970. He got a first class Sangit Visharad Degree in Kathak Shaili from Prachin Kala Mandir at Chandigarh in 1988. He received the Nritya Ratna title from Kolkata in 1995 and for the session 2001-�02, he got the Tabla Visharad First Class degree also from Kolkata.
Guru Mangla Prasad Mohanty took to dance at the age of 10 when he joined Kansarisai Chhau Akhara. He never looked back since then. He went on to perform at various centres throughout the country and helped in popularizing this traditional dance art form. In 2004, the Guru was the recipient of the Jharkhand Ratna Samman. He directed several landmark presentations including the unforgettable �Acchyut Kanya� and �Mohini� being among them. His innovative concepts and dance designs have contributed towards adding further sheen to the traditional heritage of the Saraikela Chhau Shaili.