Bikram Kumbhakar (Saraikella)

🪔 About

Bikram Kumbhakar, born in 1898 in Seraikella, Bihar (now Jharkhand), was a revered master of Seraikella Chhau dance. His early training encompassed Gotipua dance, and he performed in traditional Ras Leela and Ram Leela productions. He was introduced to Pharikhanda, the foundational martial technique of Chhau, by Shri Niranjan Kumbhakar. His Chhau education continued at the esteemed Prithiviraj Singh Deo Akhada and Shiva Kotwal Akhada. Under the tutelage of ustads like Shri Niranjan Kumbhakar, Shri Giridas, and Shri Bichha Babu, he honed his skills, becoming a distinguished exponent of the art form and an expert in the sword-and-shield technique of Pharikhanda. Kumbhakar quickly achieved widespread recognition as a performer, with his mastery of martial dance being acknowledged by the rulers of Seraikella, who considered him a prized artist of the royal akhadas. He also co-founded a Jatra group with Shri Kunja Bihari Bhol, which toured extensively throughout the region. Throughout his extensive career, Bikram Kumbhakar played a pivotal role in safeguarding and enriching the Seraikella Chhau tradition. He is credited with creating numerous dance compositions and was also proficient in playing the Chhau Dhol. Even in his advanced age, he remained dedicated to training a significant number of young dancers, contributing immensely to the perpetuation of the dance form. For his profound contributions to Chhau dance, Bikram Kumbhakar was honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1990).