Janmejay Sai Babu

🪔 About

Guru Janmejay Sai Babu, a distinguished exponent of Mayurbhanj Chhau, was born on October 29, 1948, in the Mayurbhanj District of Orissa (now Odisha), into a family deeply rooted in traditional Chhau dance. His grandfather, Radha Mohan Sai Babu, was a Chhau teacher in Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo's palace. Janmejay Sai Babu began his training at the age of seven under his eminent uncle, late Guru Anant Charan Sai Babu, a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award. He also received tutelage from Srikanta Sen, Khetramohan Das, and Lalmohan Patra. After graduating from Utkal University in 1972, Guru Janmejay Sai Babu joined the Bal Bhawan Society under the Ministry of Education until 1976. Throughout his extensive career, spanning over 39 years as of 2011, he has been instrumental in promoting and evolving Mayurbhanj Chhau. He has experimented with both Odissi and Chhau elements, achieving a harmonious blend of tandava and lasya. His collaborations include working with renowned figures such as Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Shri Guru Mayadhar Raut, Sonal Mansingh, and Ranjana Gauhar on various productions. He has conducted workshops at institutions like Nrutyagram with Protima Gaouri Bedi and in Bangalore with Kathak exponent Maya Rao. Guru Sai Babu has also taught at prestigious institutions including the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (1985-87, 2004-08) and the Natya Ballet Center (1993-2009), training numerous dancers from India and abroad. He is credited with being the first to introduce Mayurbhanj Chhau choreography in National School of Drama (NSD) theater plays, collaborating with notable directors. His dedication extends to researching, refining, and developing Chhau's elements to elevate its classical scope and appeal to national and international audiences. In 2005, he founded the Gurukul Chhau Dance Sangam in Delhi, an academy he co-manages with his sons, where he continues to impart his knowledge to a diverse student body. Awards & Honours: National Integration Award (1994), Nritya Siramani Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2018).