State's Chhau and Paika dance forms add colour to Bhojpuri and South Indian novies

Time of India

2 days ago

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Ranchi: When Subodh Pramanik first stepped onto a makeshift village stage as a young boy, he could have barely imagined that his passion for Chhau and Paika dance, two traditional dance forms of Jharkhand, would one day take him to teach the dance forms in Bhojpuri and South Indian films.
A native of Sonahatu in Ranchi, Subodh has not only mastered the art forms but also took them beyond regional boundaries. These performances have found a place in movies like 'Game Changer' starring Ram Charan and Bhojpuri film 'Kaashi Amarnath'.
"I have been associated with the dance forms for over 45 years after I learnt these from the elders of my family. In 2016, a fellow artist from Orissa gave me an opportunity to teach Chhau and Paika to dancers of a Bhojpuri film.
Later, I got another chance to work in the South Indian film, Game Changer. I took a troupe of 40 artists from Jharkhand to dance in the film," Pramanik said.
Chhau dance has three different forms – Saraikela Chhau of Jharkhand, Purulia Chhau of West Bengal, and Mayurbhanj Chhau of Orissa. Saraikela Chhau has evolved from martial art techniques and is characterised by extensive use of music created from various traditional instruments.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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"Chhau and Paika are mostly practiced by the tribal population of Jharkhand during the festivities. However, it is still unknown to a larger audience in the country. Showcasing the dance forms in films has now started to garner admiration for them and artists from other parts also show interest to learn," Subodh said.
Pramanik believes that the opportunities to work in the film industry gave the troupe a chance to uphold the state's rich cultural heritage outside the state. "It's not just dance moves but about telling a story the way our ancestors did, through movement, expression, and rhythm," he said.
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