Latest news with #MayurbhanjChhau
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Krishna Through Dance
The significance of Lord Krishna extends beyond Indian mythology. People admire, worship, and love Krishna not only as a deity but also as a figure who feels connected to their lives. And Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (SBKK) is no exception. Like every year, this year also, it has been celebrating its flagship dance drama Krishna, from August 12-16. As the programme is in its 49th year, TMS speaks with Shobha Deepak Singh, the director of SBKK. 'The Krishna dance-drama has been an integral part of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra's annual calendar for nearly five decades. Its 49th edition carries the weight of that heritage while embracing the freshness of renewed creative expression,' says Singh. Although SBKK performs the programme every year, this year's production is special because it reimagines a beloved classic with refined choreography, intricate costume detailing, and enhanced stagecraft. "It combines the depth of live music, the visual richness of lighting design, and the disciplined artistry of our repertory dancers. For long-time audiences, it offers the comfort of tradition; for first-time viewers, it presents an immersive introduction to the timeless story of Lord Krishna,' notes Singh. The phases of Krishna This edition of Krishna focuses on multiple phases of Lord Krishna's life. It highlights his childhood in Gokul, the pastoral beauty of Vrindavan, his eternal bond with Radha, and the epic events of the Mahabharata. 'The life of Krishna is a sequence of events woven with playfulness, love, wisdom, and the triumph of dharma over adharma. By selecting episodes that span both the personal and the cosmic—from the innocence of his early years to the moral gravitas of the Kurukshetra battlefield—we offer audiences a holistic portrait of his journey. The intention is to allow viewers to travel with him through changing landscapes of emotion and purpose,' says Singh. The choreography Other than storytelling through the diversity of events in Krishna's life, what also makes the dance drama special is the choreography. This year's production is choreographed by Shashidharan Nair, a known face in India's dance-theatre circle. Trained in multiple dance genres like Kathakali, Mayurbhanj Chhau, and Kalaripayattu, he has put his experience and skills into making this production a grand success. 'What makes his association with the Kendra exceptional is the legacy he carries forward. Having performed, taught, and choreographed here for generations of dancers, he bridges tradition and innovation with equal ease. Many of our principal artists today are his protégés, shaped by his discipline and commitment to authenticity. In Krishna, his skills transform episodes—from the pastoral simplicity of Gokul to the moral urgency of Kurukshetra—into vivid representations that remain etched in the audience's memory,' Singh concludes. Krishna is ongoing till August 16 at Kamani Auditorium, Mandi House
Hans India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Mahesh Babu to perform all his own stunts in SSMB 29!
Superstar Mahesh Babu's highly-anticipated project with master filmmaker SS Rajamouli is creating major buzz in film circles, even as the team maintains secrecy about plot details. While only a couple of shooting schedules have been confirmed, fresh reports suggest that Mahesh is going all out for the film — performing all his stunts himself without the aid of a body double. Known for taking on physically demanding roles, Mahesh has always preferred doing his own stunts, and this upcoming African adventure drama is no exception. The team has already shot some intense action scenes with the actor, ensuring tight security and medical support on set to prioritize safety. Set against a rugged African backdrop, the film is expected to be filled with action-heavy sequences, and Mahesh's hands-on approach promises an extra layer of realism and grit to the visuals. Adding to the excitement, reports reveal that Mahesh has also completed shooting a special solo dance number on an elaborate market set erected on the outskirts of Hyderabad. In another exciting update, Priyanka Chopra — who plays the female lead — will reportedly showcase the traditional Mayurbhanj Chhau dance, adding cultural depth to the narrative. Though the filmmakers have remained tight-lipped, a press conference is expected soon. Fans are hopeful that new details, including a teaser or poster, may be unveiled around Mahesh Babu's birthday on August 9th. With Rajamouli's vision and Mahesh's commitment, this untitled project promises to be a cinematic spectacle.
Pink Villa
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
SSMB29: Priyanka Chopra learnt Mayurbhanj Chhau dance for Mahesh Babu starrer, gets a shoutout from choreographer
SSMB29 is one of the most anticipated projects at the moment. Directed by SS Rajamouli, the film is touted to be a globe-trotting adventure starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead. While the makers have refrained from sharing any information about the movie in advance, recently, the Bajirao Mastani actress received a shoutout from her choreographer in the film. Priyanka Chopra learnt Mayurbhanj Chhau dance for SSMB29 Taking to Instagram, celebrity choreographer Vicky Bhartiya dropped a shoutout post for Priyanka Chopra. The former, who is a trained professional in Odisha's dance form Mayurbhanj Chhau, revealed his special experience of working with the diva. Sharing some candid selfies of them, Vicky highlighted how Priyanka had shown unmatched energy during the rehearsals and then actually performed them during the shoots. An excerpt from his long message read, 'Working with @priyankachopra ma'am was truly a special experience. She's smart, funny, strong, and so warm with everyone around her. Watching her energy during the dance rehearsals and shoots was genuinely inspiring—she gives her all and makes it look effortless.' What is Mayurbhanj Chhau dance form? For the untold, the Mayurbhanj Chhau dance originates from Odisha and is a semi-classical dance form. It is slightly different from the other Chhau forms, since it does not require the performers to wear elaborate face masks. This is believed to have its roots in mock fights and drills used to train soldiers of the region and has incorporated influences from martial arts and other tribal traditions. SSMB29's next schedule to be shot in Kenya? As per one of the latest reports by Telugu Chitraalu, the team of SSMB29 will be reaching Kenya for shooting one of the key schedules of the movie. The report claimed that these will be the portions where the character introductions of Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra will be shot. These will be quite crucial to the plot since they will bring a major turning point in the narrative.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Going on a Chhau trail in Odisha
Plastic chairs and string cots are arranged neatly in a semi-circle under a canopy of trees at Beguna Diha, a village on the outskirts of Mayurbhanj in Odisha. You can hear the sound of practising percussionists, as young men and women get ready for a performance. The audience slowly fills the space. As the drums pick up pace, the Mayurbhanj Chhau dancers take centre stage, and their dynamic movements fills the surrounding with energy and verve. They also encourage the audience to learn a few steps. However, replicating their perfection and vigour is a futile attempt. Witnessing these dancers rehearse proves to be a significant part of a trail of sorts, to discover and delve into Chhau — a martial, tribal and folk dance form. In April this year, the Belgadia palace in Mayurbhanj in association with Aadi Naad hosted The Chhau, a three day festival that brought together three distinct styles of this dance — the Mayurbhanj Chhau which originates from the same region, Purulia Chhau from West Bengal, and Seraikela Chhau from Jharkhand. There is much that is unique to each style of Chhau, we soon realise. On a balmy evening, a troupe of Purulia Chhau dancers dressed in bright yellow, orange, green and black, with masks and elaborate headgear bring alive the story of Durga and Mahishasura at the grounds of the Belgadia Palace. The dancers effortlessly jump and do somersaults, leaving us in awe of their sharp, nifty movements despite the heavy costumes and masks. The etymology of the word Chhau can possibly be traced back to meaning Chhauni or military barracks, where the dance was supposed to have originated from foot soldiers practicing these movements. Watching the dancers depict a fierce battle between Durga and Mahishasura, the martial influences are more than evident in the way they move. When we witness the Seraikela Chhau, there is a calmness and grace that we immediately notice about this style. The costumes and masks are colourful, but a lot more muted in comparison, and the story we see is that of dancers depicting Krishna trying to court Radha. The lilting beats of the dhol and softer strains of the shehnai enhance the sringara rasa. 'Most of us are generational artists and we begin learning Chhau when most children are introduced to the alphabet,' says Sanjay Kumar Karmakar, who has been dancing since he was four. He points towards the masks with elegantly drawn eyes and says they are not props. 'Each mask is different, and helps capture the emotion that represents the character we play. We might wear a mask, but through our dance, we become the character we are portraying,' he says. While our introduction to the Mayurbhanj Chhau is at Beguna Diha when we see dancers rehearse, nothing can quite prepare us for the spectacle we later see on stage. Performed without masks, dancers decked in silks, turbans and with swords in their hands, nimbly move around the stage, as they bring alive the story of Abhimanyu from the Mahabharata. There is courage, valour, the fierceness of a raging battle, and the eventual loss that all comes alive on stage. The intense energy of the athletic dancers never once overshadows the emotions in the story they are depicting; a hushed silence falls over the audience when Abhimanyu dies. Subhasree Mukherjee, chief coordinator of Project Chhauni, a local organisation that has been working to preserve and create awareness about Chhau says there are nearly 202 socio-cultural organisations and groups of dancers spread across Mayurbhanj. 'We worked on identifying dancers, recording different Chhau dance items, and documenting basic techniques and training,' she says. There is much that has changed over the years; many of the dancers we see across the three styles of Chhau work as farm labourers or daily wage earners to make ends meet. Dancing however, they say, brings them special joy. 'We have also worked on establishing a fair revenue model where the fees from any performance goes directly to them. We are also keen that they are employable and resourceful, and stress on skill development as well to ensure they are able to support themselves while continuing to practice their art,' Subhasree adds. Chhau is an integral part of the Chaitra Parva or the festival marking the month of Chaitra (April) in Odisha. With the number of dancers diminishing with each passing generation and the increasing need for patronage for the dance form, there has been a sustained demand to recognise Chhau as one of the classical art forms of India. In 2010, Chhau was inscribed in UNESCO's representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 'The Mayurbhanj Chhau speaks of the strength and spirit of Mayurbhanj,' says Mrinalika BhanjDeo, who belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Mayurbhanj. 'Our vision is to use our ancestral home, the Belgadia palace, as a platform to not only preserve and promote the arts, but also make it an experience through a host of initiatives,' she says. For guests like us, who visit the Belgadia palace, Chhau performances are an important part of the itinerary throughout the year. It's 8 p.m., the sky gets dark and the dancers take the stage for a final performance. As the audience intently watches, you realise that the dance form invokes a strong sense of community and pride in one's cultural history. It brings people together to nourish it and keep it thriving. The writer was at The Belgadia Palace, Mayurbhanj on an invitation from RARE India
