A chhau artiste at Chaitra Parva. File picture

Jamshedpur, May 23: The Seraikela royal family will soon offer a certificate or diploma in Chhau to those who study at Srikalapith, the newly revived cultural centre of the palace.

Srikalapith, which has been revived after over six decades to reintroduce the culture of Seraikela Chhau in nearby areas, has approached Bathkhande Music Institute University, Lucknow, for affiliation.

The aim is to get its students a formal recognition for better career in the art form.

“We have already submitted the module and the syllabus of Chhau to the university and we are about to get the feedback later this month. These days, unless you have a certificate, you cannot approach a career like teaching,” said Pratap Aditya Singhdeo, the eldest member of the Singhdeo family.

Srikalapith has 35 students learning Seraikela Chhau and mask-making. The school also plans to start a Chhau music school in the near future. As for now, it aims to provide a three-year diploma course in Seraikela Chhau.

Makardhaj Daroga, the veteran Chhau maestro, is the head guru with 10 other faculty members.

About seven students are pursuing the Chhau mask-making course while the rest are in dancing.

Seraikela also boasts the Seraikela Chhau Dance Academy managed by the administration but without any university recognition. If the affiliation process is finalised, Srikalapith will be one of the first Chhau schools where students will get proper certificates.