Patna: Nalanda University’s Sushma Swaraj Auditorium came alive on Sunday as a Purulia Chhau troupe from West Bengal opened SPIC MACAY’s VIRASAT 2025 cultural series with a powerful display of dance, rhythm and storytelling. The event, organised by the university’s SPIC MACAY chapter, drew students from more than 20 countries and celebrated India’s living folk heritage.
The performers, adorned with elaborate masks and vibrant costumes, presented episodes from Mahishasura Vadh of the Durga Saptasati, combining martial artistry, expressive movement and theatrical narrative. The resonant sounds of the dhol, dhamsa, bansuri and shehnai added depth to the performance, transporting the audience into the heart of Purulia’s ritual traditions.
Originally from Purulia district in West Bengal, Chhau is known for its epic themes, drawing heavily from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and other mythological tales. The elaborate masks, stylised choreography and rich costumes have earned the dance form global recognition, and it remains an integral part of Purulia’s festivals and community rituals.
Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, vice-chancellor of Nalanda University, praised the artists and the SPIC MACAY team for their efforts to preserve India’s intangible heritage. He urged students to engage deeply with traditional art forms, emphasising that cultural understanding is central to Nalanda’s global ethos.
SPIC MACAY, which works to familiarise young people with India’s classical and folk arts, has long championed experiential engagement with culture rather than purely academic exposure.
As part of the VIRASAT 2025 series, Nalanda University will host a range of cultural programmes showcasing India’s classical traditions. Following the Chhau performance, a vocal recital by Pt Sajan Mishra will take place on 26 November, and a Hindustani classical presentation by Gautam Kale on 28 November. Kale will also conduct a four-day workshop on Hindustani vocal music, offering Indian and international students an immersive introduction to the form.
The series aims to reconnect the younger generation with India’s artistic legacy, creating space for tradition, learning and expression to flourish on the Nalanda campus.
