Jivan Rekha Mayurbhanj & Seraikella Chhau

I choreographed this evening of a theatrically effective, but stylistically pure, production that combined Mayurbhanj and Seraikella Chhau in a groundbreaking production in collaboration with Gopal Dubey, that was the first time traditional Chhau artists performed at a stage in Delhi at Kamani Auditorium(not just Trade Fair Grounds). It was then performed on Doordarshan National Programme of Dance when the DG offered me the opportunity to record anything I wished and I decided Chhau should be done as it is considered folk and otherwise would not qualify for a national program. This in 1990.
It also brought the two styles together in a theatrical format, without changing traditional choreography of individual items, so that it could be presented internationally. 3 sections: Nature, Man and Gods presented repertoire of both styles to bring out these themes. My choreography of solo Nari was also a first as it portrayed a female character in Chhau as a solo. My daughter, Tara, played Krishna and the rest of the Seraikella team was the Trinetra Seraikella Chhau Troupe under the direction of Gopal Dubey (Gopal, my student for Odissi and co student of Guru Kedarnath Sahoo, is now both Padmashri and SNA awardee Pt Gopal Dubey) The Mayurbhanj Chhau artists came from Baripada to Seraikella for rehearsals with Gopal my translator and collaborator.