Puruliar Chhau

Directed by Ritwik Ghatak

In 1970, Ghatak explored the traditional heritage of Chhau in the documentary titled Puruliar Chhau. He explores the life of the performers, including close shots of eminent dancers like Madhu Ray, Gokul Roy, Gambhir Singh and Lal Mahato. His use of flambeau (a rural life lighting to avoid technical lights) and the dramatic way of the narration in which the narrator becomes an integral part of Chhau are highpoints of this documentary. Ritwik went to showcase how tribals use this artform to articulate their struggle against oppression and exploitation in this documentary as well as in Jukti Takko Aar Gappo.