Over the years, the standards of NSCBI (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International) Airport at Kolkata have improved tremendously. From a run-down facility six years back, it is now truly upto international (and national) standards.
Kolkata being Kolkata, with a cultural heart, can art remain far behind? These murals caught my attention while passing through Kolkata Airport recently. On show is the Chhau folk art of the Eastern region, famous internationally. The masks on the murals used here are used during the Chhau dance seen in Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa. The musical instruments shown, are used during Chhau performances.
The Chhau dance (name derived from the Sanskrit word Chhaya, i.e. Mask/ Shadow/ Image) is found in three styles named after the location where they are performed, i.e. the Purulia Chhau of Bengal, the Seraikella Chhau of Jharkhand, and the Mayurbhanj Chau of Odisha. It is a folk form, based on acrobatics, martial arts and athletics but also celebrating religious themes and folklores, including the Mahabharata, Ramayana and the Puranas.
More info on the Chhau dance can be found at :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhau_dance
https://www.utsavpedia.com/cultural-connections/indian-performing-arts/chhau-dance-of-purulia/
Do keep a lookout for these interesting murals if you are passing through Kolkata Airport anytime!!
