Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Oct 29: One of the iconic exponents of the various schools of Chhau Nritya and one who initiated the introduction of women in this dance form, Guru Shyama Charan Pati passed away at a Ranchi hospital late night on Wednesday. Awarded the Padma Shri in 2006 for propagating a traditional art form and contribution to the scenario of performing media, Guru Shyama Charan Pati hailed from Icha village in Rajnagar Block. He was 80 years old. As the news of his death spread, people from the world of art, culture, literature and the general masses started flocking to his ancestral home at Icha. However, it was informed that Guru Shyama Charan Pati�s family had shifted to Rourkela and were residing there. His funeral rites will be performed after his son who is in Bengaluru arrives.
Guru Shyama Charan Pati who was born in 1940 hailed from a poor Brahmin family of Icha village. In Jamshedpur, he took training in Katthak and Bharatnatyam forms of dance under the tutelage of Guru Ban Bihari Acharya. Later, he learnt the various forms or Shailis from the greatest exponents of the time, Panchanan Singhdev and Tarini Prasad Singhdev. Guru Shyama Charan Pati had many disciples and he continued to inspire talents who went on to bring fame and laurels for themselves and the country. Sujata Maheshwari and Shobhanavrata Sirkar continue to amaze audience the worlds over with their presentation of Chhau Nritya. The Guru was presented the nation�s fourth highest honour, the Padma Shri in 2006 for his unique contribution to Indian dance. He played a leading role in initiating women into the Chhau dance form. His daughter Sushmita Pati is a renowned Chhau danseuse.
A few Icha village residents informed that Guru Shyama Charan Pati made it a point to visit his ancestral village during Ramnawami and Durgotsav each year when Chhau dance recitals were organized. The Guru performed at various places in the country and abroad holding thousands of audiences enraptured and captivated. He was a leading limelight in the propagation of Chhau dances internationally.
