Sapan Acharya

🪔 About

Sapan Kumar Acharya is a distinguished exponent and guru of Seraikella Chhau, an Indian classical dance form. He represents the fifth generation of a family deeply rooted in the traditional performance and evolution of Chhau dance. Sapan Acharya inherited his profound knowledge and artistry from his father, the late Guru Lingaraj Acharya, a revered figure and one of the last gurus of the Purthosahi Akhada, one of the eight traditional Seraikella Chhau dance schools. Acharya is the Artistic Director of Acharya Chhau Nrutya Bichitra in Seraikella, an institution founded by his father in 1980, which has been instrumental in training numerous artists in Seraikella Chhau. He also serves as a visiting faculty member for Chhau at Attakalari Movements of Arts in Bangalore and holds a teaching position, as well as being the Head of the Department of Chhau, at Triveni Kala Sangam in New Delhi. His commitment to the art form extends to training students in both dance and theatre, a role he has undertaken for over 15 years, as of a 2019 report. Sapan Acharya's contributions to Chhau have been recognized with Junior and Senior Fellowships from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. He is known for his dedication to preserving and promoting the intricate and martial arts-inspired Seraikella Chhau, which uniquely incorporates masks to depict themes and emotions. His work also encompasses aspects of Mayurbhanj Chhau, another prominent style. Awards & Honours: Junior Fellowship, Senior Fellowship.