A veteran mask artist from Charida, Triguni, he learned the craft from his father and grandfather at a very young age. Today, he works closely with young artists and has exhibited his work at fairs across India and in Norway.
From Kharipahari village in the Barabazar block, Purulia, Debilal is a renowned dhol player and Chhau artist. Introduced to the stage at a very young age, he later trained at Dr. Sukhendu Biswas’s Royal Chhau Academy. His international performances span Russia, Thailand, Belgium, France, Iran, the USA, Brazil, and other countries.
A renowned Chhau performer from Bamnia, Purulia, Bhuban Kumar was inspired by his father, Prabhudas Kumar. He founded his own troupe in 1985 and created powerful productions such as Santhal Bidroho, Sidhu Kanu, and Kargil Juddha. He has performed extensively across India.
Hem Chandra Mahato of Palma, Purulia, is a pioneer of Manbhum Chhau. Trained from a very young age under the guidance of his father and grandfather, he became widely known for performances such as Mel Naach and Krishnalila. His lifelong dedication has given Manbhum Chhau a distinct and renewed identity.
Sambhunath, a renowned Chhau dancer from Aspara, Purulia, trained under Padma Shri Nepal Mahato. He later founded his own troupe, which has performed widely across India and internationally, including in China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Japan, Lithuania, and Bangladesh.
Guru Banshidhar Mahat is a leading exponent of the Manbhum style of Chhau from Anda village, Seraikela-Kharsawan district of Jharkhand. Trained under his father, he later joined Padma Shri Gambhir Singh Mura’s troupe as a lead performer. Renowned for portraying Lord Krishna, he has represented India at international festivals across Europe, the USA, Japan, and […]
Gouranga Dhal of Rengalbeda represents a new generation of Chhau gurus, blending scholarship with practice. Trained under eminent gurus and holding a Master of Performing Arts degree, he is deeply rooted in grassroots training through institutions such as Bhanjabhumi Chhau Nrutya Pratisthan, Jayshiba Club, and Garidhi Yubak Sangha, ensuring Chhau remains both authentic and accessible.
Dibar Naik of Pithakutust is a dedicated practitioner of Mayurbhanj Chhau. Trained under renowned gurus at the Mayur Art Centre, Bhubaneswar, he has performed widely across India and Nepal at major festivals and cultural platforms. He is also deeply committed to training young dancers at Arun Chhau Nrutya Pratisthan, Sansimila, carrying forward the discipline and […]
Budheswar Murla of Lampani is a respected Mayurbhanj Chhau practitioner trained under eminent gurus. A recipient of the Government of India’s scholarship for young cultural practitioners, he was later honoured as a Chhau Guru by the Mayurbhanj Chhau Nrutya Pratisthan, Baripada. Today, he travels extensively, training multiple Chhau troupes and nurturing young dancers through rigorous […]
Born in Mananghuty village, Seraikela, Jharkhand, Guru Nanda Lal Kumhar learned Chhau music from his father and eminent Gurus of Seraikela. A master dhol player with over three decades of experience, he has performed across India and abroad, accompanying leading Chhau dance troupes. Known for his powerful rhythm and dedication, he continues to train young […]
A noted Seraikela Chhau artist and founder of Shristi Chhau Nritya Kala Kendra, he has performed widely across India—including Delhi, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, and Seraikela—and before dignitaries such as President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. A dedicated teacher, he continues to train rural and tribal youth, preserving the rich heritage of Kharsawan Chhau.
Ganesh Chandra Mahato is a distinguished Seraikela Chhau artist who began training at the age of eight under Padma Shri Guru Kedar Nath Sahu. A science graduate and trained classical vocalist, he has represented India at international festivals across France, South Korea, Indonesia, Italy, the USSR, China, and Mongolia under the ICCR. A recipient of […]
A renowned Chhau musician from Seraikela, Jharkhand, Prasad Baskey has over three decades of experience in Chhau music. Trained under legendary gurus including Padma Shri Kedar Nath Sahu and Padma Shri S.N. Singh Deo, he has performed widely across India and abroad, including at the SAARC Cultural Festival in New Delhi and the International Spring […]
A distinguished Seraikela Chhau artist from Jharkhand, is the son of the legendary Padma Shri Guru Kedar Nath Sahu. Trained under eminent gurus including his father, he has over four decades of experience in teaching and performing Chhau. He has represented India in international festivals in France, USSR, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Mexico […]
A renowned Seraikela Chhau artist, Guru Bijay Kumar Sahu is the son of the legendary Padma Shri Guru Kedar Nath Sahu and Late Bhargabi Sahu. Inspired by a family deeply devoted to Chhau, he began his training at an early age. A B.Com graduate, he served as Senior Instructor at the Government Chhau Dance Centre, […]
Sambhunath is a well-known Chhau dancer from Aspara village in Purulia. Inspired and supported by his father, Anil Karmakar, he began performing as a child artist with the village troupe, where his talent quickly gained recognition. To refine his skills, he trained under Padma Shri Nepal Mahato. After several years of rigorous training, he formed […]
Hem Chandra Mahato is a pioneer of Manbhum Chhau, whose contributions have given the tradition a new identity in Purulia. He began learning Chhau dance at the age of 12 from his father and grandfather. Dropping out of school in Class VIII, he devoted himself entirely to Chhau, practicing with his village team and quickly […]
Bhuban Kumar, a veteran Chhau dancer, was inspired by his father, the late Prabhudas Kumar, a renowned Chhau artist of the district. Encouraged by his father, he began training at a young age and performed with the village troupe. In 1985, he formed his own Chhau team and created popular productions such as Santhal Bidroho, […]
Debilal, a renowned Chhau artist, learned the basics of dhol from his father, the late Shibu Karmakar, one of the finest players in the district. Introduced to the stage at a young age, he quickly gained recognition for his talent. He later joined Dr. Sukhendu Biswas’s Royal Chhau Academy, performing in India and internationally. Debilal […]
Falguni Sutradahar is a well known mask maker. He is always in search of new creative in his work . Apart from the traditional mask, he introduced many new creative’s which were being praised by many people. He participated in many state and national fair exhibitions not only to sell his product, but also represented […]
Triguni Sutradhar lives in the village charida of Bagmundi block in Puruliia district. He is a mask making artist and learnt this work from his father and grandfather when he was 10 years old. Currently he is 55 years old and continuing his work with the other young artists of his family. Triguni Travelled many […]
Sajal Dutta from Charida, Purulia, has been immersed in the art of Chhau Mask making since childhood. He learned the craft under the guidance of his father, his first guru, who strongly supported and nurtured his practice. Over the years, Sajal Dutta has participated in numerous national seminars and exhibitions, showcasing his work across the […]
Parimal is a Chhau Mask maker living in Charida village of Bagmundi block, Purulia district. He learned the craft under the guidance of his father, Bimal Dutta, beginning at a very young age. A skilled artisan, Parimal creates a wide variety of masks that are highly admired by visitors, many of whom take his creations […]
Dharmendra Sutradhar began making masks at a very young age, carrying forward the traditional craft practiced by many artists in Charida village, Purulia. He creates both traditional Chhau masks and innovative masks based on diverse themes. His work includes masks inspired by literary creations such as Tasher Desh, as well as religious forms like Pashupatinath. […]
Jagannath Choudhury is a leading Chhau dancer from Maldi village of Purulia.
Mousumi is a leading woman Chhau dancer from Maldi village of Purulia. She inspired other girls of the region to join the traditional dance forms which is dominated by men.
Biren Kalindi is a leading Natua & Chhau dance artist from Purulia. He leads a troupe named Biren Kalindi Chhau Nach Gosthi. He is also an expert player of traditional musical instruments.
Binadhar Kumar is a veteran Chhau dancer who began dancing at the age of 14. He has learnt from his father Ramnath Kumar who was a noted dancer and his Guru.
Kartik Singh Mura is an eminent Chhau artist from Purulia district. He learnt Chhau dance from his father, legendary Chhau artist and Padma Shri award winner Gambhir Singh Mura.
Anil Mahato is a highly revered, veteran Chhau artist from Dubrajpur village of Purulia district.
Baghambar Singh Mura is a leading, veteran Chhau dancer from Gobindapur village of Baghmundi block in Purulia district.
