by Arun Pathak
Bokaro: The Sangeet Natak Akademi Chhau Centre in Chandankiyari came alive with colour, rhythm and tradition on Sunday as it hosted a grand Mahashivratri Chhau Dance Festival. Performers from Chandankiyari, Bhubaneswar, Saraikela and West Bengal delivered captivating presentations that drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The festival was formally inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by chief guest Dr. Asha Rani, a President’s Award-winning Sanskrit scholar, along with Chhau Centre coordinator Dr. Sanjay and other distinguished artists. In her address, Dr. Asha Rani lauded the Sangeet Natak Akademi for its sustained efforts in preserving and promoting India’s rich artistic heritage.
The event witnessed the presence of several eminent personalities, including Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Sadashiv Pradhan from Bhubaneswar, former Director of the State Chhau Dance and Training Centre and Akademi awardee Tapan Patnaik, and President’s Award-winning Chhau Guru Sadhu Charan Mahato of West Bengal. Chhau Advisory Committee member and Guru Haradhan Mahato also attended, while Santosh Kumar from Delhi served as the official observer.
Dr. Sanjay delivered the welcome address. The programme was smoothly anchored by Kranti Srivastava, and the vote of thanks was proposed by Tapan Patnaik. Members of the Chhau Centre, including Vijay Kumar, Ashutosh Kumar, Gopal, Kalindi and Mahesh Raut, played a key role in the successful organisation of the festival.
