Guru Shri Sapan Kumar Acharya

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

Shri Sapan Kumar Acharya, a fifth-generation descendant of a family of traditional performers, is deeply committed to preserving and promoting the Seraikella Chhau dance. Under the guidance of his father, the Late Guru Lingaraj Ach, and later from Late. Guru Bikram Kumbhakar (Phori khanda), Late Suru Mukhi and Mangla Mukhi (Dhol and Nagada), he has developed a unique system that blends tradition with innovation. With a degree in science from Ranchi University, Shri Sapan Kumar Acharya has earned numerous accolades, including fellowships from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Kala Guru Samman 2019. As the head of the Chhau dance department at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, he has dedicated 26 years to teaching and training thousands of students, shaping the future of this vibrant art form. Under the able mentorship & guidance of Guru Shri Sapam Kumar Acharya CVE is pleased to introduce its NEP 2020 focused curriculum-based program in performing arts (Music, Dance & Theatre) for schools across India.

Contributions of Guru Shri Sapan Kumar Acharya

Choreographed for the Movies

Nartaki (2017), Antervyathaa (2020), Shiva (2022)

International Performance

Celebration for fifty years of Indian Independence at all over Japan in 1997 sponsored by I.C.C.R Government of India.
Participate in Indian Expo at Japan in 2005 Sponsored by Indian Council for cultural relations, Govt. of India.
Festival of India, Indo- Japan Friendship at all over Japan invited by NPO Society for promotion Indo-Japan Culture, Japan
Performed in Thailand, Burma, Malta, Greece, Holland, Germany, and France
Performed at Vietnam, Japan and Vladivostok (U.S.S.R) Sponsored by I.C.C.R (Govt. of India) New Delhi in 2009
Performed at South Korea in 2012 sponsored by ICH of South Korea
Performed at re-union island (France) and Mauritius in 2012, Ahinsa festival sponsored by I.C.C.R, New Delhi
Performed at Singapore in 2016.

Performances

India International Dance Festival organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi and I.C.C.R. New Delhi
Rajgir Mahotsava, Bihar
Sharad Utsav organized by Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi, Mathura
Ved Vyas Festival –Rourkela, Odisha
Konark Dance Festival-Konark, Odisha
Khajuraho Festival-Khajuraho, M.P.
Nritya Prathibha at Chandigarh- Indore, Jabalpur(M.P.), Shimla(H.P.)
Nritya Sangam at Bangalore and Chennai
Asean- India Summit, Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi, 2012
The third Nada Bindu Festival for the arts organized by Chinmaya Nada Bindu, Kolwan Pune 2013
Chhau Parva, Bhubaneswar, Odisha organized by Sangeet NatakAkademi, New Delhi.
Chhau seminar titled, Unmarking the tradition-the story behind Seraikella Chhau organized by Sudhaya foundation at India International centre, New Delhi
Chhau Parva at Imphal (Manipur)and Guwahati (Assam) organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi and Jawaharlal Manipur Dance Akademi , Manipur, 2014
Chhau festival at Tripura, sponsored by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, 2015.
Chhau festival at Gangtok, Sikkim, sponsored by Sangeet Natak Akademi (2016).
Tribal Museum at Bhopal in 2017.
Desh Parva at Ujjain, M.P., 2018.
Sapan Acharya and group performed in Bharat Rang Mahotsava at National School of Drama, New Delhi in 2019.
Participated in the 28th Conference of Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions on 20th September 2023, which was organized by National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi.
Performed in major Dance festivals in India like Brahan Natyanjali, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (2023)
Performed at Flower festival organised by DDA, Govt. of Delhi (2024).
My group of 35 girls performed for the tableau of Ministry of Culture with the theme of Bharat: Mother of Democracy in 75th Republic Day parade 2024, which was choreographed by me, and it bagged the best tableau award by the jury.