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| SERAIKELLA CHHAU DANCE |
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- Seraikella Chhau Dance Co.(Seraikella Chhau)
ARATI: BY SHRI TARUN KUMAR BHOL-(8.40 MINUTES)
(This is the dance of a priest offering lights to the deity, praying before the image of God.)
MAYUR NRITYA (PEACOCK DANCE): BY PANDIT GOPAL P DUBEY (PADMASHRI) (4.50 MINUTES)
(The joy of the peacock in the rainy season is represented here. The artist's movement depicting the grace, beauty and vanity of his glorious Bird.)
RADHA KRISHNA: BY SHRI GOPAL PATNAYAK/SHRI SANJAY KARMAKAR- (8 MINUTES)
(Love dance of eternal Man and eternal Women. The motive of this dance is the mystic love of Radha and the cosmic lover of Krishna, Radha dances to the thrill of Krishna's love for her.
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In a vast country like India with Mind blowing cultural diversity, there are hundreds of traditions of music, dances and theatre forms scattered across the far corners of the land. It is no wonder that many of these forms are not fully known in all parts of the country.
Chhau is a traditional dance drama form prevalent in Eastern India. There are three major forms of Chhau each known by its respective geographical location. These are Seraikella Chhau of Bihar (Now in Jharkhand) Mayurbanj Chhau of Orissa and Purlieu Chhau of West Bengal. Although they are all known as Chhau, their style differs considerably in terms of their culture background and their dance characteristics. The complexity and fascination of this tradition lies in the fact that it represents the folk classical continuum. Seraikella Chhau is first tradition origin at Seraikella latter so on Mayurbanj Chhau and Purlieu Chhau.
According to History Seraikella Chhau was patronized by Royal family and also performer, like great dancer late Shree Rajkumar Suvendra Narayan Singhdeo, Late Brajendra Narayan Singhdeo, later on our guru Padmashree Suddhendra Narayan Singhdeo, and Guru Padmashree Kedarnath Sahoo.
Seraikella Chhau dance previously in 1920 was only Nritya, but due to contribution of Late Kumar Bijay Pratap Singhdeo and Maharaja of Seraikella late Aditya Pratap Singhdeo change of the tradition in various ways and there is classic story music based on Rag, tale also based on chanda.
Now, Present Raja Pratap Aditya Singhdeo has taken responsibility to continue the Chhau Chaitra Festival which was started by late Maharaja Aditya Pratap Singhdeo in Seraikella Palace.
On the one hand it is close to classical dance tradition with it many styles, on the other, it has link with the folk and tribal dances of the regions. Also Chhau is greatly influenced by the martial art and has a strong ritualistic context. The Seraikella Chhau and the Purlieu Chhau wear masks while Mayurbanj Chhau does not. Seraikella Chhau is danced during the annual Chaitra Parva Festival dedicated for Ardhanareshwara as a prayer for abundant harvest. The Performance is proceeding by a series of mandatory rituals. The main dances are often males from the royal family, but others also do perform.
The mask in Seraikella Chhau is a vital element in the dance. The mask indicating a character or thematic idea in a stylized manner achieves a strange quality of abstraction. It liberates the dancer from the limiting influence of the face and places a greater burden on the movement of the body.
Unlike the other two forms of Chhau, Seraikella Chhau is pure dance rather than dance-drama. It does not employ dialogue and rather than a clear story line, it often seems to strive to portray through dance a sensation or feeling. Among the three types of Chhau, it is certainly the most subtle and refined. Chhau has another Asian trait as a performing art. Traditionally, it is performed entirely by men, although this might be considered as behind the times in modern day society, it results in some very interesting stylistic nuances of performances.
The themes of Seraikella Chhau dances range from Indian mythological figures to everyday people and their lives, from aspects of the natural world to abstract expressions of thoughts and feelings. For example, the dance Mayur is the dance of a single peacock, Nabik portrays a couple rowing across a river to express the navigating of the river of life, and the poetic Ratri is a dance of the Moon with the night. Banabiddha shows the dance of the deer shot with an arrow and the famous Chandrabhaga portrays a young woman who commits suicide after having been pursued by the Sun God who has fallen in love with her. Thus, the flavor known in India as Rasa, of a dance, though expressed in the mask itself, comes about through the expression of character and life in the body of the dancer. The movements of Seraikella Chhau is said to have as its origins the movements of the traditional martial art form Parikanda which uses a sword and shield. However, the present Seraikella Chhau movements no longer seem to reflect those origins. Yet, following tradition a student of a dance still practice Parikanda every morning down by the river near Seraikella as a part of his training. Thus the martial movements which were once a part of the dance have disappeared, as the dance has become more refined leaving its influence only in the training.
The music accompaniment is made up of a large Kettledrum called Nagara, a barrel drum called Dhol, and double-reed oboe called Shania, all instruments used in the ritual music of the Chaitra Parva spring festival. The melodic ragas used in classical Indian Music are employed to a degree in the music of Seraikella Chhau along with folk melodies.
If Tata nagar is known due to steel city, Seraikella is known for Chhau Dance. We all artists and people of Seraikella grateful to the Palace that still Chaitra Parva is going on and will continue.
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| PANDIT GOPAL PRASAD DUBEY (PADMASHRI) |
- Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey is the founder member/ Secretary of Trinetra Chhau dance Centre, Seraikella, Jharkhand. As a teacher, he had been responsible for grooming some of the highly talented Chhau dancers of the present time. As a choreographer, he had created a number of well-known dance dramas and solo dance pieces. He had also worked with mainstream cinema as well as experimental theatre and films. He is a panel approved artist from Indian Council for Cultural Relation, New Delhi.
- Born on June 25th, 1957 in Seraikella, Jharkhand, India his Grandfather was a performer in the troupe that provided entertainment at the Royal Palace in the Seraikella before the current Seraikella Chhau dance form was established. From the age of 14 he began studying the basics of dance and music with the famous Seraikella Chhau dancer Late Guru Natasekhar Banbihari Pattanayak, and Guru Padma Shri Rajkumar S.N. Singhdeo and Padma Shri Guru Kedar Nath Sahoo.
- Pandit Dubey had held numerous workshops and master teacher in several prestigious institutions in India and abroad. In India, he had held several workshops for school in New Delhi under the aegis of Spic Macay. I had worked as Faculty in the department of Indian Theatre at Punjab University, Chandigarh. He has travelled all over the world along with his troupe. Through Japan Foundation he has performed all European countries as well as South East Asia. Internationally, he had taught at Kansas University, Indian University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, University of London, Chungang University of Seoul, Institute of Dramatic arts Seoul, Theatre group Inchon City in South Korea, Multi cultural centre of Inchon City, American College of Greece. On the behalf of ICCR New Delhi he travelled Japan, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Leo PDR. Also Performed at Symphony Space, Broadway, New York, under the aegis of World Music Institute & Solaris
- As a Choreographer he had choreographed "Antigone" Greek Play in 1984: In 1987 an Indian play Shakuntalam with Greek actors of Volos theatre, Greece: In 1990 Jeevan Rekha with Sharon Lowen: In 1996 choreographed Dance Warriors" a cross cultural dance production with Mr. Henry Smith of Solaris Dance Theatre, New York: In 1997, T.V Serial Uttar Ramayan" produced by Ramanand Sagar: In1997 "Mask of Warriors" with Henry Smith New York, "Golden Leaves" Play Directed by Lee Sung Kyu at Multi Cultural Centre of Inchon City, South Korea. N.F.D.C feature film "The Last Vision" directed by A.K.Bir: In 2009, chhau movements in English Play "Pillars of the Community" Directed by Mr. Neeraj Kabi.
- Pandit Gopal Dubey is the recipient of numerous awards and honours. In 1986 Fellowship to study modern dance and choreography in New York awarded by Asian Cultural Council, U.S: In 1986 United States Information Service travel grant to attend "American Dance Festival": In 1987 Spic Macay has been honoured Scholarship: In 2007 he has been conferred State Jharkhand Award for the contribution to the Chhau tradition: In 2010 he has honoured Naatiya Sri Title 2010 from Nataraj Music Academy, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh: In 2010 he has been honoured Golden Conch Appreciation for 40 years contribution to Seraikella Chhau tradition from Keli Foundation Mumbai; In 2011 he has been selected for Senior Fellowship from Ministry of Culture, New Delhi. In the year 2012 he has been honoured Indians most prestigious award Padmashree to Pandit Gopal Dubey for the contribution of Chhau dance and choreography.
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Performers |
PANDIT GOPAL PRASAD DUBEY(PADMASHRI)
SANJAY KUMAR KARMAKAR
TARUN KUMAR BHOL
GOPAL PATNAYAK |
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PANDIT GOPAL PRASAD DUBEY(PADMASHRI)
(Chhau dance exponent/choreographer)
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 I Gopal Prasad Dubey had born Seraikella, in the state of Jharkhand, India. My Grandfather was a performer in the troupe that provided entertainment at the Royal Palace in the Seraikella before the current Seraikella Chhau dance form was established. From the age of 14 I began studying the basics of dance and music with the famous Seraikella Chhau dancer Late Guru Natasekhar Banbihari Pattanayak, and Guru Padma Shri Rajkumar S.N. Singhdeo and Padma Shri Guru Kedar Nath Sahoo.
I have also received training from some of the outstanding teachers of our time is today recognized as one of the most celebrated among the contemporary exponents of Seraikella Chhau. As a teacher, I had been responsible for grooming some of the highly talented Chhau dancers of the present time. As a choreographer, I had created a number of well-known dance dramas and solo dance pieces. I have also worked with mainstream cinema as well as experimental theatre and films.
I had been showered with scholarships, fellowship and honors of performing as well as lecturing and conducting Master classes and workshops at some of the world's envied festivals and universities.
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| AWARDS AND HONOURS:
PADMA SHRI 2012: The highest civilian award for the contribution to chhau dance tradition and Choreography.
Senior Fellowship form Ministry of Culture in the year 2011
NAATYA SRI TITLE 2010 from Nataraj Music and Dance Academy, Visakhapatnam on the occasion of Vysakhi Nrithyotsav all India Classical Dance Festival 2010
SUVARNA SANKHU (Golden Conch of Appreciation) for 40 years contribution to Seraikella Chhau Tradition from KELI Chhau Dance Festival 2010 Jan in Mumbai.
"STATE JHARKHAND AWARD 2007" for the contribution to the Chhau tradition
"Vocational Achievements" award by the Rotary Club of Bombay Sea face.
Member of I.O.V. Austria,
Fellowship to study modern dance and choreography in New York in 1986 awarded by Asian Cultural Council, U.S.A
United States Information Service travel grant to attend "American Dance Festival"
International Choreographers Workshop –1986
Participants grant ADF 1986.
Awarded "Young Talent Scholarship" Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi.
Second prize Inter University Youth Dance Competition, Ranchi University –1974.
Scholarship scheme for students to study under the Guru-shishya parampara System with recognized masters in the classical and performing arts from
Spic-Macay for one month
As a Choreographer I have choreographed the followings
- Chhau dances for T.V serials "Bharatekkhoj" produced by Shyam Benagal
- Choreographed Chhau dances for T.V serial "Uttar Ramayan", produced by Ramanand Sagar.
- Dance ballet "Jivanrekha" with Sharon Lowen for C.P.C Doordarshan.
- Choreographed a dance piece "Mirgnayani" T.V. Serial directed by Amol Palekar.
- Choreographed "Dance of the Warriors" a cross cultural dance production with Mr. Henry Smith of Solaris Dance theatre, New York.
- Choreographed "Masks of the Warriors".
- Choreographed Chhau Movements in English Play "Pillars Of the Community" Directed By Mr. Neeraj Kabi
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PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
Seraikella Chhau dance leant under Guru Shri Padmashri Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey and the Guru Shri Tarun Kumar Bhol from Trinetra Chhau dance centre Seraikella.
PERFORMANCE IN INDIA:
- Performed at youth festival cochin kerala
- Performed at Chaitra Parva Festival Seraikella, Jharkhand
- Performed at Himachal Pradesh
- Performed at Patialla Punjab organized by East Zone Cultural centre
- Performed Mahabharat Utsav Hariyana
- Performed at Jaipur Rajasthan
- Performed at patna, Bhabua
- Peformed at Mumbai, Delhi in theatre programme directed by Niraj Kabi and Gopal Dubey
Participated in Bhuvaneshawar Chhau festival organized by Sangeet Natak academy New Delhi.
- Participated in Natiyajali Festival organized by Sangeet natak academy New Delhi
- Participated Indo French cultural centre Chhau Performance in Bangalore
- Performed at Delhi Ibsen Festival 2009 – English play "Pillars of Community"
- Performed Natiyanjali Festival in Chidambaram, Kumbakoonam, and Tanjavur organized by Sangeet natak Academy New Delhi
- Participated In Keli Festival at Prthivi theatre Mumbai
- Participated at MES Keshori Kendra College, Malleswaram Bangalore
- Performed at Mysore Niranthara Ranga Utsava 2010 organised by Niranthara Foundation Mysore Karnataka
- Performed at Cochin Kerala on Nritya Sangaman (Senior Dance Festival) organized by Sangeet Natak Academy New Delhi
- Performed at Bangalore on the behalf of ICCR Bangalore and National Gallery of Modern Arts for Horizon Festival
- Performed in palace Ground Bangalore on the behalf of Dastkar, New Delhi on the occasion of the Exhibition conducted in Bangalore.
PERFORMANCE IN ABROAD:
- Performed in Paris on 17th June and 18th June in Guimet Auditorium sponsored by Zaman production and Mirasi Music in Paris, France.
- Performed in Germany on 22nd June 2011
- Performed in Paris on 3rd July 2011 for the 20th Festival Les Orientales Florent Le Vieil in Paris, France.
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| Born18th February 1965 in a middle class and tradinational family at Ward No.4, Serailella. Father /Guru Kalachand Bhol is a high class traditional flutist of Serailella Chhau. Since last four generation contributed a lot for the sack of this great Hindu Dance Form. |
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Performing Artist:
Mask Dance Seraikella learned chhau learned at Government Chhau dance centre, since and progression ally completed Chhau dance Training at Government Chhau dance centre, Seraikella Under the guidance of Guru Shri Tapan Kumar Pattanayak Director Govt, Chhau dance centre, Seraikella.
Achievements in Chhau dance:
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Participated in the annual Chaitra Parva in Seraikella organize by Govt. Chhau dance centre, Seraikella since 1992 to till dat.
- Participated in Rajgir festival, bodhya gaya festival, balisali and bihar cultural Mahaulsav in the year 1998-99.
- Represent dweep mahaulsav and Andaman nikobar in the year 1998-90 organized by ear zone cultural centre Kolkata.
- Represented as stat performer so may festival within south chhota Nagpur
- Represented Seraikella Chhau in utkal day held in Orissa in the year 19997
- Represented dance festival in West Bengal (Purulia)
- Performed Chhau dance in different cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi and Jamshedpur
- Participated in 7th National Youth Festival Hisar Haryana
- Participated in nabrangpur Mondel 2002 (Orissa)
- Participated 8th National Youth Festival at Kerala
- Participated Monipur Festival 2003 at Imphal
- I am the recipients of Senior Scholarship holder department of Culture Government of India
- I have participated along with the director, Government Chhau dance centre, at Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata, to trained the student as a assistant teacher and also teach the chhau to the students of Kalamandir.
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