Brajendra Kumar Pattnaik

🪔 About

Brajendra Kumar Pattnaik, a distinguished exponent of Seraikella Chhau dance, was born on September 22, 1958, in Seraikela, Jharkhand, India. His journey in Chhau began at the tender age of four, receiving his initial training from his father, Shri Chittaranjan Pattanayak. He further honed his skills under the tutelage of esteemed gurus such as Harishankar Pattanayak, Kedarnath Sahu, and Lingaraj Acharya. Pattnaik has dedicated his life to the preservation and promotion of Seraikella Chhau, a traditional Indian martial arts dance form. His career is marked by extensive performances and workshops conducted both within India and internationally. He has represented Indian culture at various 'Festival of India' events organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, traveling to countries including Switzerland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and the erstwhile USSR. As a committed educator, Brajendra Kumar Pattnaik founded and currently leads the Saraikela Chhau Training Centre. At this institution, he imparts free training in Chhau dance to young aspirants, ensuring the continuity of this ancient art form. He has trained numerous artists, many of whom have become well-known performers in the current generation. He continues to actively train around 20 students at his center. His profound contributions to Chhau dance have earned him significant national recognition. Pattnaik's unwavering passion and dedication have cemented his legacy as a pivotal figure in Indian classical dance. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2019), Senior Fellowship Award from the Ministry of Culture (2000), Senior Scholar (1984), Jharkhand Samman.