H U M A N S of J H A R K H A N D 

Padma Shri Madhu Mansuri Hasmukh and Padma Shri Guru Shashadhar Acharya 

Humans of Jharkhand congratulates Shri Madhu Mansuri sir and Shri Shashadhar Acharya sir for being felicitated with Padma Shri this year from Jharkhand.

1. First two photographs are of Madhu Mansuri sir and last two are of Shashadhar Acharya sir.

Madhu Mansuri Hasmukh

 He was born on 4 September 1948 in similia in Ranchi district. His father's name was Abdul Rahman Mansuri. According to Madhu Mansuri, his ancestors were Oraon who were converted to Islam. He married Samia Oraon.

He is an Indian singer, songwriter and activist. He had written and sung several Nagpuri songs for movement of separate state Jharkhand.In 2011 Government of Jharkhand awarded him Jharkhand Ratna Award.

He was operater in MECON. He learned traditional song from his father. He had started singing songs from his childhood. He sang first song in stage in 1960 at the age of twelve. He established Shist Manch in 1960 and his first book of Nagpuri songs got published. In 1972 he wrote "Nagpur kar Kora" song. In 1992, he traveled Taiwan with Ram Dayal Munda and Mukund Nayak. He had written and sung several Nagpuri songs for movement for separate Jharkhand state.

His famous song "Gaon Chodab Nahi, Jungle Chodab Nahi, Mai Mati Chodab nahi, Ladai Chodab Nahi", became very popular during Jharkhand Andolan.

Guru Shashadhar Acharya

Representing the fifth generation in the family of traditional performers who have significantly contributed in the evolution and development of this art form. Shashadhar Acharya, is steeped in the tradition of Seraikella Chhau. He has inherited the knowledge of this art in legacy from his father, Guru Lingaraj Acharya. A quest to know and a desire to learn the differing perspectives of Seraikella Chhau from masters representing various schools within the tradition led him through a journey of intensive study. The great teachers besides his father Guru Lingoraj Acharya that he trained with include Guru Natshekhar B.B. pattanaik, Padmashri S.N. Singh Deo, Guru Kedar Nath Sahoo and Guru Bikram Kumbhakar.

Performing extensively, the traditional repertoire of Seraikella Chhau on prestigious platforms across the country and abroad, he has often stretched his knowledge to use the technique in innovative ways both in dance and theatre. A deep-rooted knowledge of his art gives him the confidence to use it in collaborative works with dancers, actors and directors of both traditional and modern discipline.

PadmaShri Awardee from Jharkhand..