Mayurbhanj Chhau Dance Enthrals Audience at Bhubaneswar Adivasi Mela
Balasore Jan 27, 2026 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty):
A spellbinding performance of the UNESCO-recognized Mayurbhanj Chhau dance mesmerized the audience at the Adivasi Mela in Bhubaneswar on Monday evening, celebrating Odisha’s rich tribal and cultural heritage.
Artists of Shri Jagateswar Chhau Nritya Parisad, Kohi, Morda, Mayurbhanj, presented a powerful and visually striking dance drama based on the life of legendary freedom fighter and tribal revolutionary Birsa Munda, revered as Dharti Abba.
The performance vividly portrayed his courage, resistance against colonial oppression, and his enduring contribution to India’s freedom movement, while also highlighting the ethos and traditions of tribal society.
Renowned artists Samarajit Tipiria, Shrikrishna Bhoi, Manoj Mahana, Krushna See, Chandan Mahana, Tarun Kumar Tunga, Priyabrata Mahana, Astami Bhoi, Anupama Mahana, Sonakshi Tipiria, Deepika Patabandha, Aparna Tipiria, and Laxmipriya Bhoi delivered a captivating and emotionally charged performance that drew sustained applause from the audience.
Guru Gandhi Jayanta Tipiria guided the troupe, while noted patrons and dignitaries including Dr. Gopabandhu Mallick, IPS (Retd.), former Additional Director General of Police; novelist Prof. Rashmi Roul; Prof. Shankar Charan Jena; Paresh Nath Patra, former officer of the Reserve Bank of India; Sulagna Sucharita; and Sudhakar Nayak were present to encourage and motivate the performers.
In recognition of their outstanding contribution, the Government of Odisha felicitated the Chhau artists with citations and mementos. On the occasion, Prof. Rashmi Roul, on behalf of the Citizens’ Human Rights Clinic, Odisha, presented a special citation to Samarajit Tipiria for his remarkable portrayal of Birsa Munda.
The performance stood out as a memorable highlight of the Adivasi Mela, blending artistic excellence with historical consciousness and reaffirming the enduring strength of tribal cultural traditions.
