Ranchi/Seraikela, Nov 8: Acclaimed Seraikela Chhau exponent Shashadhar Acharya of Seraikela and Ranchi based Nagpuri folk singer Madhu Mansuri ‘Hasmukh’ received the Padma Shri award for the year 2020-21, from President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Significantly, due to the Covid pandemic, the award ceremony could not be held last year.
Both the state and the district became proud with Chhau Guru Shashadhar Acharya receiving the Padma Shri award.
After being honoured with the Padma Shri award, Guru Shashadhar Acharya has dedicated this honour to Chhau Kala, saying that his whole life will always be devoted to its upliftment and development.
Sharing his feelings on this occasion, the 61-year-old Shashadhar Acharya said, “Even though I have received this honour physically, but this honour in fact belongs to those gurus (teachers) who made me worthy of it. This honour will also encourage the new generation to move forward in Chhau. Now my responsibility has increased. I have to work tirelessly to take this dance form to the highest level and get it international recognition.”
Incidentally, the Seraikela-Kharsawan district of Jharkhand is the center of Seraikela form of Chhau dance. Despite being a town city, it is famous for the seven seas because of Chhau.
Shashadhar is the seventh artist associated with Chhau of Seraikela-Kharsawan district, who has received the Padma Award. Actually, Seraikela-Kharsawan district, which has natural beauty, is recognized only for Chhau dance. Art lovers from other countries also come here to learn Chhau dance, while the artists here are invited to perform in other countries as well. Famous Kathak dancer Sonal Mansingh also learned Chhau dance here. She took training in Chhau dance from Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Those who have received Padma Shri award from Seraikela so far include Sudhendra Narayan Singhdeo, Kedarnath Sahu, Shyamacharan Pati, Mangalacharan Pati, Makardhwaj Darogha and Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey. The seventh name is Shashadhar Acharya.
Ranjeet Acharya, deputy director of Acharya Chhau Nritya Bichitra, who was with him on this occasion, has given special information in this regard. Chhau Guru Tapan Patnaik, Director, Government Nritya Kala Kendra, Seraikela, praised the exponent for getting Chhau with Padma Shri after a long time.
He said that this honour is proudly showing the dedication of the previous Padma Shri Gurus in the upliftment of this art and the culture of Seraikela.
Meanwhile, Madhu Mansuri (73) known as king of Nagpuri folk songs is known to inspire and motivate people during statehood movement.
The folk singer after receiving the award felt that the government should take up efforts in documentation and upkeep of Nagpuri and other folk songs in the archives so that such songs are not lost and forgotten by the new generation.
