BHUBANESWAR: A resident of Seraikela Kharsawan district in Jharkhand, Sushanta Ku. Mahapatra and his family members have indulged in reviving the traditional art of Chhau mask making for decades.
Mahapatra belongs to the traditional ‘Gharana’ of mask making. Interacting with Orissa Post, he said, “This craft is a continuous process which is passed from one generation to another. The art is dying a slow death. I along with my family members am trying hard to revive this traditional art.”
Mahapatra has been conferred with several recognitions and awards by the state government and various organisations for his work. He is the nephew of famous Seraikella Chhau Mask maker Late Shilpa Kushal Prashanna Kumar Mahapatra. He was awarded the title Shilpa Kushal by the Maharaja of Seraikella and conferred with Sarangdev Fellow by Sur Sringar Samsad in Mumbai 1981.
Sushanta Kumar Mahapatra used to work as an instructor in Sri Jagannath Art School Seraikella 1978-83 under the guidance of his uncle. Sangeet Natak Academy of New Delhi has offered support to Chhau mask making since the year 2000.
With this support, he has exhibited his works across the country in various festivals including the Republic Day parade 1992 at the end of which he had the honor of presenting a mask to then President of India R. Venkataraman.
His hand made Seraikella Chhau masks have been presented to several ministers in various occasions. His hand made Seraikella Chhau Mask of Lord Krishna wa presented to former President Pranab Mukherjee by the then Chief Minister of Jharkhand Arjun Munda in Rastrapati Bhawan April 13, 2017.
He has travelled widely in the capacity of a teacher conducting workshops and displaying his works. In 1996, he demonstrated his works at a workshop organised by Solaris Dance Theater and World Music Institute, New York in USA. He also showcased his works in a workshop organised by Indian Cultural Centre in Berlin, Germany. Besides, he participated in Hallamasch Festival in Vienna, Austria in 1999.
When queried about his dream, all he said was, “I want to keep this art alive and want my students to pursue it. There should be a government school for this art form exclusively.”
Besides his participation in international events, Mahapatra is also a recipient of numerous awards. He is the first man to get Senior Scholarship to Young Artistes in the field of mask making. He received Senior Fellowship to Outstanding Persons in the field of Culture in 2005.
Apart from this he has received State Sankritik Samman in 2007 and 2008, Singhbhum Shilpa Samman in 2006, felicitation in Odisha Legislative Assembly Hall by Purnango Utkal Nyasi Mandal in 2001 and Chhau Guru Sanman among others. His efforts will go a long way in reviving the traditional art form.
