Jamshedpur, March 11: The Seraikela Chhau Mahotsav, which is being organized simultaneously with the Chaitra Parva, will kick off on April 9 and continue till April 14.
This time, however, the focus would be identifying Chhau artistes, who have never got an opportunity to showcase their talents. The administration has decided to give chance to budding artists to display their skills. SDO Deepak Kumar is making every effort to make the event successful.
More than 70 professional Chhau teams are expected to perform at the festival; the Rajkiya Chhau Nritya Kala Kendra will try to spot first time performers.
“We are all set to make the even a gala affair. Every year we try to do something new because we constantly try to make the festival interesting for art lovers.
This year the deputy commissioner of Seraikela-Kharswan, has asked us to bring those budding artists who can be good performers but have not got any opportunity to perform on stage. The search will be on from the entire state and not just in the neighboring districts,” said an official.
He went on to inform that popular stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are staged. The costumes, the headgear and other ornamental requisites are carefully selected. The dance program comprises solo, duet or group, performances.
About 150 artistes will enthrall the audience with their performance and help promote the dance form in the districts.
About a decade ago, an initiative by the local administration in association with the family members of the former king of Seraikela, Aditya Narayan Singhdeo, had led to the commencement of the Chhau festival in the area.
The Seraikela-Kharswan district administration has been organizing such festivals since the independence in 1947.
There was an agreement between the Seraikela royal dynasty and the then Bihar government to preserve the local culture and tradition.
The Seraikela-Kharswan district administration organizes the Seraikela Chhau Mahotsav during the Chaitra Parva in mid-April.