Seraikela Chhau Guru Brajendra Kumar Patnaik presented Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Mail News Service

Seraikela, Feb 23: Seraikela, or ‘Sodhoi Kola,’ meaning the cradle of 16 art forms, has given, not only to the region, state or country but to the entire world the Chhau dance form that continues to leave international audiences of connoisseurs and general dance addicts, awestruck and wanting for more. Of course, it is beyond an iota of doubt that Chhau broke several barriers and surged ahead due to royal patronage and of course to the dedication of artistes down the periods of time to carry the baton of cultural history forward across national and international borders. Today, Chhau evokes eagerness wherever it is performed. A lineage of Chhau Gurus has continued to nurture and ignite the ‘addiction’ to this expressive art form and today stands as a symbol of unwavering tradition that has learnt to surge ahead. Padma Shri awardees have given glitter and weightage to Chhau art form.

Among a perennially growing band of dedicated Chhau artistes who eat, live and dream this unique art form reflecting tradition and time is senior artiste, Chhau Guru Brajendra Kumar Patnaik, who, at age 65 defies time and keeps pace with his desire to promote and spread the lineage of Chhau artistes. Such a Guru does not go unnoticed. It was a proud moment when Guru Brajendra Kumar Patnaik walked up in his usual humble manner to the stage at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi where the President of India, Droupadi Murmu presented him the National Sangeet Akademi Award — 2019 for his invaluable and continued contribution to Chhau Nritya. The audience comprising dignitaries and elite of the performing media gave a standing ovation to Guru Brajendra Kumar Patnaik who is also the Senior Fellowship awardee of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Guru Brajendra Patnaik who continues to pursue his desired dream of propagating Chhau Nritya through generations, continues to train 20 children, absolutely free of any charge at the Saraikela Chhau Training Centre with a spirit that defies age. The Guru prefers to call this spirit, ’Passion.’ He explained, “The one and only purpose of this Training Centre is to prepare a new and steadfast generation by inculcating in them the basics of to ensure that this cultural facet remains healthy, accepted and appreciated through present and future times.”