A three-day festival is bringing the sounds and colours of Jharkhand and Odisha’s folk arts and heritage to Goa this weekend. The three-day Folk Festival, from May 9 to 11, will be held at The International Centre Goa (ICG) and will mark the first visit to Goa of a 65-member delegation of artistes and performers from the two eastern states. Contact Base, in collaboration with the Axis Bank Foundation, is launching a project titled Roots to Prosperity, aimed at promoting culture-based livelihoods in Jharkhand and Odisha, and this festival is a part of that initiative.
Amitava Bhattacharya, founder of Contact Base and curator of the festival, said, “Goan audiences are special to us. In the past, we’ve presented folk forms from West Bengal, Rajasthan, and our World Peace Music Festival, Sur Jahan. Goa embraces traditional culture, and the warmth of its people is deeply appreciated by artists. That inspired us to bring the folk traditions of Jharkhand and Odisha here, many of which—like Seraikela Chhau, Kharsawan Chhau, and Gadaba tribal dance—will be performed in Goa for the first time.”
The festival will also feature Warli painting and Bohada mask makers from Maharashtra, along with Kotpad and Ikat weavers from Odisha. Lecture-demonstrations, performances, and interactive workshops will be the highlights.
What is Chhau Dance?
Chhau, listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is a dynamic dance tradition rooted in martial arts. There are three main forms—Seraikela, Purulia (Manbhum), and Mayurbhanj—practiced across West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Jharkhand’s Seraikela Kharsawan district is unique in that all three styles are performed there, Seraikela Chhau: a semi-classical form using small masks and martial movements, Manbhum Chhau: known for its large, ornate masks and costumes and Kharsawan Chhau: combines painted faces with a blend of Seraikela and tribal dance elements.
These dances often depict themes from mythology, nature, and everyday life.
Jharkhand artists Bijoy Sahoo and Nando Lal, representing Seraikela and Kharsawan Chhau, shared their excitement: “This is our first visit to Goa, and we invite everyone to join us. I’m especially looking forward to teaching Seraikela dance steps at the workshop on May 10, from 11 am to 12.30 pm.”
Gadaba Song and Dance
Koraput district in Odisha is home to several tribal communities, including the Durua, Paroja, Gadaba, and Kandha. The Gadaba tribe’s performances are vibrant expressions of community, nature, and celebration, with songs and dances rooted in everyday life and festivals. Their attire is also culturally rich—Gadaba women wear Kerang, a hand-woven wraparound cloth traditionally made from tree bark.
Manas Ranjan Muduli, leader of the Gadaba dance troupe, said, “We are the Gadaba tribe from Lamtaput in Koraput, and this is our first trip outside Odisha. We’re very happy and excited. We look forward to sharing our dances and stories—and we welcome you to join us on stage and learn our steps.”