Dilip Chandra Mahato

🪔 About

Dilip Mahato is a distinguished exponent of Purulia Chhau dance, a vibrant semi-classical performing art form originating from Eastern India. He inherited and honed his artistic skills under the tutelage of his father, Jagru Mahato, who was a significant figure in the early recognition and popularization of Purulia Chhau in the 1960s. Following in his father's footsteps, Dilip Mahato has extensively showcased the rich traditions of Purulia Chhau both within India and on international platforms. His international performances have taken him to various countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Dubai, often at the invitation of state and national cultural bodies. Dilip Mahato currently leads the "Binapani Rupchand Chho Nrittyo Party," a renowned Chhau dance troupe that was originally established by his father. He is also associated with the "Tetlo Jangal Mahal Bibadi Chhau Dance Ostad," further solidifying his role as a guru and leader in the Chhau community. His group is known for enacting traditional 'palas' (dance-dramas) based on Hindu mythology, such as Ganesher Tantabhanga, Mahishashur Badh, Narakasur Badh, and Ekalabyer Gurudakshina. Beyond local performances, his troupe has performed in various locations within India, including Mukutmanipur and other places in Bankura. For his significant contributions to the art form and as a young, outstanding practitioner, Dilip Mahato was honored with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2011. Awards & Honours: Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2011).