Legendary artist Ram Chandra Manjhi is no more

Patna: In Bihar, the doyen of Bhojpuri folk theatre art “Launda Naach” and legendary artist Ram Chandra Manjhi passed away yesterday. 97-year old Manjhi breathed his last in a hospital in Patna.

He was born in a family of weaker section of society in a riverine village Tujarpur in the Nagra block of Saran district in Bihar.

Manjhi was an oldest member of a troupe of great folk artist and Bhojpuri poet with the sobriquet “Shakespeare of Bhojpuri” Bhikhari Thakur. He was a staunch supporter of good and meaningful



songs and performances in Bhojpuri folk theatre.

Felicitated with Sangeet Natak Academy Award Manjhi was also a prestigious Padma Shri awardee in the field of Arts. President Ram Nath Kovind had honoured the legendary Launda Naach performer last year.

The Launda Naach is a prominent Bhojpuri folk art of Bihar comprising songs, dance, comedy, satire, parody and theatre. In this art, men impersonate women wearing sari, blouse, long hair wig during the performance.