POST NEWS NETWORK
BHUBANESWAR: Artistes from Indonesia presented Wayang Lemah puppet show on the concluding day of National Chhau festival held at Rabindra Mandap in the city, Monday. The puppet show titled ‘Bhima Swarga’ enacted a conversation between mythological King Yudhisthira and Bhima, who decided to travel to Heaven.
In the puppet show, both the characters go to seek the blessings from Lord Shiva before proceeding to Heaven. Five artistes have featured in the show. In addition to puppetry, a group of artistes affiliated to Bhanjabhumi Chhau Nrutya Pratisthan, Mayurbhanj, enthralled the audience with two scintillating chhau performances. They began with the invocatory performance of ‘Ekadanta’ (a reference to Lord Ganesha).
“The mythological story revolves round mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. Parashuram pays a visit to Kailash to have a darshan of Lord Shiva, but Ganesha who was guarding the gate did not
allow him in. Meanwhile, Parashuram who begins a fight with Ganesha plucks out his tooth in the scuffle. The battle ends with the intervention of Parvati on time,” said Trilachan Mohanta, a team member. Late Ramani Ranjan Mohanty had choreographed the dance recital involving seven artistes.
The troupe’s second performance ‘Megha Mayuri’ was undertaken by 11 artistes who showcased a dance of peacock that performs when the clouds overshadow the sky. It was choreographed by Trilochan. The three-day dance festival was organised by Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi in association with the State Culture Department.