I am a mask of expressions…
I am Seraikela Chhau…
I am the identity of Seraikela…
“I hold a unique place in the world of theatre because I do not just belong to Seraikela; I reside in its very soul.”
Sanjay Mishra
Seraikela, Mar 27: Seraikela, often referred to as the land of sixteen arts, holds a deep-rooted connection with theatre. On the occasion of World Theatre Day, remembering its rich history is a matter of pride. However, many aspects of this cultural legacy are fading from the collective memory of Seraikela. Earlier, the traditional Naach Pali theatre form held significant importance in the region. With time, the emergence of Seraikela Chhau Dance led to the gradual decline of Naach Pali.
A key element of Seraikela Chhau is its mask (locally called Mohra), which serves as the face of the art form, portraying deep expressions without words. These masks convey emotions through dance movements and music. When a performer dons the mask, accompanied by the beats of drums, nagadas and the melody of shehnai, it brings the entire stage to life.
The journey of Seraikela Chhau masks
In the early days, traditional Haamapatia-style masks were used in the Perikhanda dance. The introduction of expressive Navarasa masks in Seraikela Chhau was influenced by Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singhdeo. Unlike factory-made designs, these masks are handcrafted with intricate detailing by skilled artisans.
Renowned Chhau mask artist Sumit Mahapatra, recipient of a Junior Fellowship from India’s Ministry of Culture, explains, “These masks are not created using molds. Artists deeply understand the emotions of the dance form and craft each mask with precision.”
The legacy of mask-making in Seraikela dates back to master craftsman Late Chandra Mohan Mahapatra, whose artistry is evident in the Jagannath Temple carvings. His successor, Late Prasna Kumar Mahapatra, refined the masks further, introducing emotion-rich characters for Chhau dance. Currently, Sushant Kumar Mahapatra, who received a Government of India scholarship in 1975, is carrying the tradition forward. His masks have been showcased in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, as well as internationally in New York, Berlin and Vienna.
This priceless heritage is now being nurtured by the third-generation artist, Sumit Mahapatra, who began learning the craft at the age of eight under his father, Sushant Kumar Mahapatra. Today, he continues to represent Seraikela Chhau masks globally. Sumit was awarded a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture in 2007 for his remarkable contributions.
