Ranchi, Oct. 10: Noted Chhau exponent Kedar Nath Sahu (88) breathed his last on October 8 after a prolonged illness.

The octogenarian, who carved a niche for himself in the national and international circuits, is survived by his wife, five sons and four daughters.

Sahu, who hailed from Seraikela in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, was a pioneer in promoting the Seraikela Chhau dance form. He had also taken the dance form to the US, France, Italy, China and Russia.

Sahu was the recipient of many awards among which the most noted were the Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Jharkhand Ratna, Nrityashree, Nrityakala and a Bihar fellowship by first President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad.

Sahu was also the director of the government Chhau dance centre, Seraikela, from 1974-1988.

Remembering his guru, the present director of the dance centre, Tapan Kumar Sahu, said that his loss could not be overcome.

“He has left a void which we cannot fill as it is the loss of one of the greatest Chhau dancers. He was a legend in his own right.

“He was bed-ridden for the past four to five years. The loss is irreparable. We are planning to do something in his memory. But we have not decided on what exactly would be done,” he added.