Chhau Dance is a traditional martial dance genre of India characterized by spectacular costumes, energetic movement, and theatricality. This dance genre combines elements of martial arts with tribal traditions and folk theatre, and is primarily performed in Eastern India, specifically the states of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
Types of Chhau Dance
There are three main forms of Chhau dance:
- Purulia Chhau (West Bengal)
o Most theatrical and well known style of Chhau
o Known for elaborate masks and highly energetic dancing
o Inherently tells a story, often deriving from the Ramayana and Mahabharata - Seraikella Chhau (Jharkhand)
o More subtle and graceful than the previously-mentioned dance, it is often performed without masks
o Movements of stylized forms of the body, often seeking to display the emotions of the performers
o Derived from the court and classical dancing styles - Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha)
o A hybrid of classical and folk dancing
o Is performed without masks
o Incorporates animal movements, and dynamic acrobatics
Key Features
- Themes: the major themes of Chhau dance encompass mythology, nature, legends from local culture, animals and animals behaviour, and daily life
- Costumes: Bright and decorative types of attire, inparticular Purulia Chhau
- Masks: Masks are primarily used in the Purulia and Seraikella types of Chhau – they are handmade and painted to define the specified character
- Music: Rhythm is made in Chhau dance using many traditional instruments like dhol, dhamsa, shehnai and mohuri
Recognition
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Chhau is one of the elements that was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity in 2010.
- Performed at major festivals: Like Chaitra Parva (spring festival), and at cultural events across India and globally.
