Padmasree Dr. Ileana Citaristi & CHHAU DANCE- Building Strength, Flexibility & Grace

ABOUT CHHAU DANCE:

Chhau dance (Mayurbanj style) is indigenous to eastern India and originated as a martial art form of the Oriya paikas (warriors) who fought rhythmically to the accompaniment of local musical instruments. The dance form contains vigorous movements with enormous jumps and leaps often depicting birds, animals, and the day to day life of humans as its prominent feature. There is also heroic dances with a sword, bow, or shield to demonstrate the dexterity and vitality of the dancers. The three main elements of Chhau dance: Raga (melody), Bhava (mood), and Taal ( rhythmic timing), typical to classical Indian dance, forms an important aspect of Chhau dance. Mayurbanj Chhau uses various facial expressions to express the sentiments of a character and story within the dance- today, Mayurbanj Chhau's vast range of movement and postures makes it easily adaptable for modern choreography while maintaining it's ancient tradition and history.

About Dr. Ileana Citaristi

Italian by birth, Ileana Citaristi holds a Doctorate in Philosophy with a thesis on 'Psychoanalysis and eastern mythology'. She has come to Indian dance after years of experience in the traditional as well as experimental theatre in Europe.
    Ileana has been living in Orissa, India, since the year 1979 in close contact with the people, their language and culture. Her mentor in the Odissi dance style is the renown Guru, Padma Vibhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra. She is equally at home with the different martial postures of the Chhau dance of Mayurbhanji which she has learnt under the guidance of Guru Shri Hari Nayak, obtaining the title of 'Acharya' from the Sangeet Mahavidyalya of Bhubaneswar in Orissa. She has by now performed in all the major festivals in India and also in Italy, Argentina, Poland, France, Germany. Holland, Denmark, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Australia and Israel.
    'A' grade artist from Cuttack Television, Ileana has been awarded the prestigious title 'Leonide Massine for the art of dance' in Italy in September 1992 and the 'Raseshwar' award by the Sur Singar Sansad, Bombay, in December 1994. In May 1996 she won the 'National Award for best choreography' for her dance direction to the Bengali film 'Yugant' directed by Aparna Sen. She has conducted a research on the Martial Art of Orissa under the aegis of the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts in 1991 and in 1996 she has been granted a senior Fellowship by the Dept. of Culture, Government of India, for writing a book on Kelucharan Mohapatra's life. The book titled 'The making of a guru' has been published by Manohar and released in New Delhi, in April 2001. In 2006 she has been awarded with the title of Padmashree for her contribution to Odissi dance by the President of India.
    In Bhubaneswar she is imparting training in Odissi and Chhau dances to local as well as visiting students in her own institution 'Art vision', founded by her in the year 1995. Through Art Vision Ileana has organised along the years several Festivals unique in concept like the 'Festival of films on performing and visual arts' which has reached the 6th edition and the 'Kalinga Mahotsav', a Festival of Martial Dances held in front of the Dheuli stupa at Bhubaneswar. Art Vision is regularly hosting performances of folk theatre in the mini auditorium situated in its own premises.