Which Indian dancer won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018 for Chhau Dance?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) Tapan Kumar Pattanayak.
· Tapan Kumar Pattanayak is a renowned Indian dancer known for his exceptional contributions to Chhau Dance, a semi-classical Indian dance form.
· He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018 for his significant contribution to the promotion and preservation of Chhau Dance.
Information Booster:
Chhau Dance:
· Origin: Eastern India, primarily in Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
· Style: Involves vigorous martial art techniques, stylized movements, and elaborate masks (in some styles).
· Types: Three main types – Seraikella Chhau (Jharkhand), Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha), and Purulia Chhau (West Bengal).
· Themes: Performances are based on episodes from Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, and other mythological tales.
Akham Lakshmi Devi:
· A renowned Manipuri classical dancer, known for her expertise in Manipuri dance.
Dr. Aruna Mohanty:
· A noted exponent of Odissi dance and a recipient of the Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contributions to the field.
Gopika Varma:
· A prominent dancer known for her expertise in Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form of Kerala.