Dr. Vikrant Kishore curated the multimedia exhibition "Dance of the Demons: Exploring the Chhau Mask Stories, Aesthetics, and Design" at the Gannat Festival – Cultures Du Monde 2023. Held from July 26th to 30th in Gannat, France, this esteemed folk festival, endorsed by UNESCO, showcased the rich traditions of Purulia Chhau, a martial dance drama from West Bengal, India, known for its unique "demons" or "asura" masks.
The exhibition offered an in-depth look at the Purulia style of Chhau, a dance form rooted in Hindu mythological tales and the indigenous culture of the region. Famous for its vibrant and carefully crafted masks that convey the emotions of various characters, Chhau combines dance, acrobatics, and martial arts to tell compelling stories. Dr. Kishore's exhibition included a series of photographs, short documentaries about the Chhau masks, and details about Choridah, the village renowned for its mask-making tradition. The display also featured oral narratives that share the cultural significance and craft behind these distinctive masks.
The Gannat Festival, also known as the Cultures Du Monde Festival, is a well-known cultural event that brings together nearly 500 volunteers to promote and safeguard intangible cultural heritage. Established in 1965 by Jean Roche, the festival has grown into an important platform for cultural exchange and preservation, in line with UNESCO's 2003 Convention on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. Through exhibitions like "Dance of the Demons," the festival not only presents unique cultural expressions from around the world but also encourages intercultural dialogue and collaboration, reinforcing its role in cultural education and preservation.
Dr. Kishore’s contribution to the Gannat Festival emphasises the importance of sustaining traditional art forms in the modern digital age and fostering a greater understanding of global cultural heritage.
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