Artistes present a folk dance at the fest. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Seraikela, April 10: Chaitra Parva-Chhau Mahotsav at Seraikela began on a low note this evening despite the presence of chief minister Madhu Koda and his deputy Sudhir Mahto.

Greeted by empty chairs, the much-awaited programme of the year saw the presence of just a few members in the audience.

The festival was also marked by the absence of the Seraikela prince, Pratap Aditya Singh Deo, and his wife, Maharani Arunima Singh Deo, the new chairman of Seraikela.

The chief minister made a highly emotional speech ruing that the culture and tradition of the state could soon be confined to just the museums of the Tatas.

“It is rather sad that we are busy aping the west at the cost of our traditional and cultural values. An attempt must be made to ensure that we do not lose connection with our roots,” said the chief minister.

The government is ready to provide all possible help to preserve tradition.

“Chhau today has earned a global recognition and it is Seraikela that contributed in a big way to this by taking the art form to the highest level,” said Koda.

Chhau is synonymous with the name of a culture typical to tradition and not just the name of the district.

“We will ensure that it does not die with time. All help would be made available to link artistes with employment opportunities through their traditional art, which will ensure that they do not have to lose out on the money part,” said Koda.

If the need arises, an independent art centre would be established at Seraikela, he promised at the festival organised by the tourism and culture departments.

If the chief minister got carried away by the lack of appreciation for culture, the deputy chief minister made the most of the opportunity to praise the government.

“Our yuva chief minister has done such a lot for the preservation of culture. The attempt of this government is always to ensure that culture and language are conserved,” Mahto said while speaking about the three projects that were inaugurated by them before coming to the festival.

A 120-bed hospital, a forest department guest house and a silk cocoon storage centre at Seraikela were inaugurated by Koda before arriving for the mahotsav.

At the festival, slices from the three Chhau styles — Manbhum, Kharsawan and Seraikela — were presented.

As many as three pieces from each of the style was performed by artistes who had come together from different parts of the state, Bengal and Orissa. The three-day festival concludes on April 12, which would be marked by a nightlong performance.

At today’s programme, secretary of tourism department Arun Kumar Singh and other senior officials of the Seraikela administration were present.