Guru Pagulu Jena is a distinguished practitioner and teacher of Mayurbhanj Chhau, the powerful martial dance tradition of northern Odisha. His artistic practice is rooted in the disciplined physical vocabulary, rhythmic energy and traditional movement techniques that distinguish Mayurbhanj Chhau. Through sustained performance and teaching, he has contributed to preserving this important cultural heritage and transmitting its knowledge to younger practitioners. The dance incorporates martial movements, mythology, nature and traditional narratives and demands considerable physical discipline and artistic control. Guru Jena has helped retain these traditional characteristics while presenting Chhau on contemporary cultural platforms. His work has strengthened the living tradition of Chhau and promoted appreciation of Mayurbhanj’s distinctive cultural identity.

Major Contributions :- Guru Pagulu Jena has contributed to the preservation and propagation of Mayurbhanj Chhau through performance, teaching and cultural training. He has also participated in national workshops and served as a guest master at the IKS Body Movement Workshop organised by Visva-Bharati University in February 2026, where he trained dancers and theatre practitioners in incorporating Mayurbhanj Chhau movement grammar into stage performance. His efforts have also supported grassroots artists and helped sustain traditional Chhau practices.

Awards and Honours :- In recognition of his exceptional lifelong contribution to Chhau Dance, Guru Pagulu Jena was selected for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2025, one of India’s highest national recognitions in the performing arts. He has also received district and state-level civic felicitations from the Mayurbhanj cultural administration and the Chhau fraternity for his sustained efforts towards preserving the tradition and supporting livelihoods of grassroots tribal artists.

Through his dedication to performance, teaching and cultural preservation, Guru Pagulu Jena continues to strengthen the heritage of Mayurbhanj Chhau and ensure its transmission to future generations.