Baripada: In a major boost to practitioners of the Chhau dance form, three Chhau academies will start functioning from April 1 at Baripada, Rairangpur and Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district. The Chhau dance form, which is a strong identifying characteristic of the people of Mayurbhanj district, was patronised by King Krushnachardra Bhanjadeo in the 18th Century.
The dance form reached its peak during the reign of Krushnachandra Bhanjadeo, with thousands of artistes making their living from the dance form.
Over the years, however, the dance form has seen a downward spiral due to lack of patronage, subsequently getting relegated to a footnote on the state’s dance calendar – it is now organised only during Chaitra Parva in the district.
District collector Rajesh Prabhakar Patil has initiated steps to revive this age-old dance form and protect the livelihood of the artistes. With the help of Chhau researcher Subhashree Mukherjee, a special project titled ‘Chhauni’ was conceived and inauagurated May 19, 2016.
Chhauni was aimed at identifying all Chhau artistes and their organisations across the district and imparting them training and ensuring their livelihood.
Through this project, about 11,733 Chhau artistes affiliated to 212 organisations were identified between July 2016 and October 2016.
In the initial phase, 200 artistes from 50 Chhau performing units were picked up by Sanskruti Bhawan for two days — February 27 and 28. They are being imparted Chhau training from March 5 to 17. They are also imparted training on musical instruments such as the Mahuri and Dhola.
“Chhau academies will begin operating from April 1 at Baripada, Rairangpur and Karanjia where people keen to learn Chhau will undergo training on the dance form. There is also provision of training for schoolchildren at the academies,” said Subhashree Mukherjee.
There were 200 styles of Chhau during the royal regime including six types of Tabaka, 36 types of Ufuli and 216 types of sub-Ufuli.
“Now, Chhau is being exhibited only in 40 styles. Songs for 80 styles of Chhau were recorded, but training was imparted on 40 styles,” said Chhau dance organiser Bibhudatt Das.
After completing training, artistes will be engaged as members of various dance units and will take part in cultural programmes across the district.
Wages will be directly credited into the bank accounts of the artistes. It was earlier alleged that Chhau artistes were deprived of getting their right wages after performances.
“The dance form will survive only if artistes are able to survive,” said Mukherjee. PNN