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FTCC confer LalonPurashkar to the senior artistes, Sudhi Pradhan Puraskar to the junior creative artists, Thakur PanchananBarmaPurashkar to the folk artists of North Bengal and Pandit Raghunath MurmuPurashkar to the tribal intellectuals.
Sudhi Pradhan(1912-1997),was the first Chairman of Folk and Tribal Cultural Centre.He was an organiser of Indian People's Theatre.Throughout his life he worked for giving the rural folk artistes of different fields an urban platform for their social and economic upliftment.Every year an award known as Sudhi Pradhan Puraskar is givento the talented and aspiring young artistes in the field of folk culture.
Chhou dance and Purulia are the two names which are related with one and the other. Due to the unique style of dancing, Chhou dance of Purulia district gained worldwide recognition. Sushanto Mahato, resident of 2No. Haramjanga village of Purulia district is with great endeavour carrying on their family tradition of Chhou dance of his grandfather Kalipada Mahato and his father Mahipal Mahato. He was born in 10 May 1983. Sushanto Mahato learned Chhou dance while playing as a child and later on after going round 50 villages of Purulia, he developed his own style and creativity which he implemented in his dance. Other than Chhou dance he is also involved in cultivation. Besides West Bengal he gained recognition by performing in different places of India. His tireless efforts for improvising new style and tradition of Chhou dance is undoubtable.
