Gambhir Sing Mura - The famous Chhau artist

Gambhir Sing Mura was born in village of Baghmundi. The name of the village is Pitidari. In the year of 1930, Mura was born. He was the youngest son of Chhau artist Jipa Sing Mura. Gambhir Singh Mura was an Indian tribal dancer known for his contributions to the tribal martial dance of Chhau. At the time of the ‘samanto’ kings, the programme was held in the night. Two programmes were held in every day. The king's anger was over Jipa Sing Mura for his indiscipline nature. He had to left the Chorida village and settled in Pitidari Tola in the village of Bamni. The little Gambhir spent his life in the forest area.  His birth name was Babu Sing Mura. He lost his father in his young age and became economically deprived.  His childhood spent in his uncle’s house till the age of fourteen. In the year of 1943 he returned to his own house at Chorida. He came in the limelight of Chhau in the year of 1946. He had no specific trainer. He learned various Chhau art form by seeing others artists and the activities of animals. His gesture and posture became very quintessential. In the year of 1972 and 1975 he went to abroad for his perfoemence. There he got lots of appreciation. He got ‘Padmashree’ in the year of 1981. He was felicitated in front of the precedent of India Sri Zail Sing in 1982. This award from Sangeet Natak Academy. The chairman of awards presentation Dr. Narayan Menon said, “ I present to you, Sri, Sri Gambhir Sing Mura …. For his eminence in the field of dance and his contribution yo its enrichment. Sir Gambhir Sing Mura receives the Sangeet Natak Academy Awared for Purulia Chhau dance for 1982”. We lost this famous artist in 1^st November, 2002.