New Delhi, June 24: Gopal Prasad Dubey was born into a Brahmin family in Saraikela, Jharkhand, on June 25, 1957. His childhood was immersed in the vibrant rhythms of Chhau dance and the enchanting world of masks. His grandfather, Shashibhushan Dubey, was an actor in the royal Singh Deo court, who introduced Gopal to the arts at the tender age of nine. This early fascination evolved into a dedicated pursuit that transformed the history of Chhau dance forever.
Chhau is a renowned semi-classical dance form from Eastern India, celebrated for its acrobatics and martial arts elements. At just 14, Dubey began performing in traditional akhadas. He learned physical balance and agility from Guru Natshhekhar Banbihari Patnaik and mastered intricate rhythmic hand gestures under Guru Padmashri Kedar Nath Sahu. He also studied Odissi dance with the famous American dancer, Sharon Lyon.
Originally derived from the traditional martial art known as ‘Parikanda’ (shield and sword), Chhau dance became incredibly graceful and abstract in the Saraikela style. The essence of this style lies in its masks. Once donned, the ‘drishti bhed’ (expressions of the eyes) disappear, compelling the dancer to convey their emotions solely through ‘griva bhed’ (neck movements) and body language.
Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey was a prominent guardian of the nearly extinct art of mask-making. The intricate process involved crafting molds from the fertile black soil of the Kharkai River, sprinkling cow dung ash, layering paper with flour paste, and finally applying vibrant pastel colors over a coating of chalky clay. This unique selection of colors—blue for Lord Krishna, green for Lord Ram, and light pink for serene characters—revealed the dancer’s persona without uttering a word.
In 1986, after receiving a fellowship from the Asian Cultural Council, Dubey traveled to New York, where he meticulously studied modern Western theater and contemporary choreography. He subsequently established a historical dialogue between Eastern and Western artistic cultures.
While teaching at global institutions such as Harvard, the University of London, and the University of Chicago, he demonstrated how a mask can conceal a person’s ego, allowing their soul to dance freely. He also played a pivotal role in developing the first formal curriculum for the three styles of Chhau: Saraikela, Mayurbhanj, and Purulia.
Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey passed away on November 14, 2022, but his legacy lives on through the Trinetra Chhau Dance Center, run by his brother Sunil Dubey and his disciples.
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