Chhau artistes perform at a function at Adityapur

Jamshedpur, June 21: Seraikela Chhau is all set to become dressier.

The performers of the traditional dance form will soon be bidding adieu to low-cost silk costumes and instead sport the dazzling Benarasi saris.

Srikalapith, the year-old cultural wing of the Seraikela royal palace, is busy effecting the sartorial change that will give the dancers a new look.

The initiative to produce ethnic costumes with original Benarasi saris has been taken by Arunima Singhdeo, wife of Pratap Aditya Singhdeo, the eldest member of the royal family.

“The dancers hardly care for anything as they are mainly villagers who are ignorant of the detailing, no matter how expert they may be in the dance form. Thus we have decided to present the dancers in a better way so that their performance is enhanced. We have spoken to a sari manufacturer in Benaras from where we will get the material,” said Arunima, who has a degree in fashion and textile designing.

Arunima is currently teaching costume designing to 45 villagers as a part of the Chhau dance course.

Every minute detail is being taken care of, right from the use of fabrics to the particular shade of colour used by a character. The course is being provided free of cost.

“The students first take note of the character and then design the costumes. The target of a costume is to reflect the mood of the character,” she added.

Once the process of manufacturing costumes with Benarasi material starts, Srikalapith will also take care of the maintenance of the same.

“Our concern is not new as our ancestors too focused on details. However, with time, things deteriorated. Since villagers could not afford time and money to spend on accessories, they started using whatever they could. I too had to do a lot of research to know about the detailing,” said Arunima.

The initiative has been taken to promote Seraikela Chhau and help the dancers gain a better future.

The royal family is also eyeing an affiliation from the Bhatkhande Music Institute University, Lucknow.