Miquel41G60448 at 00:37, 27 April 2026

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{{short description|Indian semi classical martial dance originating in East India}}
{{Italic title}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox dance
| name = ''Chhau''
| image = File:Chhau Nritya (1).jpg
| alt =
| caption = ''Chhau'' performing artists
| native_name =
| etymology =
| genre = Semi [[Indian classical dance]]
| signature =
| instruments =
| inventor =
| year =
| origin = [[West Bengal]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Odisha]], India
}}
'''''Chhau''''', also spelled '''''Chhou''''', is a semi classical [[India]]n dance with martial and folk traditions.{{Sfn|Williams|2004|pp=83-84, is a semi-classical Indian dance with martial, tribal and folk origins. The other major classical Indian dances are: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Odissi, Manipuri, Satriya, Yaksagana and Bhagavata Mela}} It is found in three styles named after the location where they are performed, i.e. the ''Purulia Chhau'' of [[West Bengal]], the ''Seraikella Chhau'' of [[Jharkhand]] and the ''Mayurbhanj Chhau'' of [[Odisha]].

The dance ranges from celebrating [[martial arts]], [[acrobatics]] and athletics performed in festive themes of a folk dance, to a structured dance with religious themes found in [[Shaivism]], [[Shaktism]] and [[Vaishnavism]]. The costumes vary between the styles, with Purulia and Serakeilla using masks to identify the character.<ref name=unescochhau/> The stories enacted by Chhau dancers include those from the Hindu epics the ''[[Ramayana]]'' and the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', the [[Puranas]] and other [[Indian literature]].<ref name=unescochhau/>{{Sfn| Claus|2003|pp=109-110}}

The dance is traditionally an all males troupe, regionally celebrated particularly during spring every year, and may be a syncretic dance form that emerged from a fusion of classical Hindu dances and the traditions of ancient regional tribes.{{Sfn| Claus|2003|pp=109-110}} The dance brings together people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in a festive and religious spirit.<ref name=unescochhau/>{{Sfn| Claus|2003|pp=109-110}}
[[File:Mayurbhanj Chau artistes performing with depiction of Krishna and gopi, Bhubaneswar.jpg|thumb|Mayurbhanj Chhau artists performing to a [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavite]] theme at [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Odisha]]]]
[[File:Chhau Dance of Purulia.ogv|thumb|A video of Chau dance in [[Purulia]], [[West Bengal]]]]

==Etymology==
Chhau is a dance style originating from the regions of [[East India]].{{Sfn| Claus|2003|pp=109}} It may have been derived from [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] ''Chāya'' (shadow, image or mask).{{Sfn| Claus|2003|pp=109-110}}<ref name="Khokar1984p185">{{cite book|author=Mohan Khokar|title=Traditions of Indian classical dance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=prjnAAAAMAAJ|year=1984|publisher=Clarion Books|pages=184–186|isbn=9780391032750}}</ref> Others link it to the Sanskrit root ''Chadma'' (disguise), yet others such as [[Sitakant Mahapatra]] suggest it is derived from ''Chhauni'' (military camp, armour, stealth) in Odia language.<ref name=bt>[[#Claus|Claus, p. 109]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://seraikela.nic.in/chhau/chhau_hss.htm#SARAIKELACHHAU|title=The Chhau|publisher=Seraikela-Kharsawan district official website|access-date=15 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410014517/http://seraikela.nic.in/chhau/chhau_hss.htm#SARAIKELACHHAU|archive-date=10 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Chhau dancer.jpg|thumb|A Chhau dancer in [[Baghmundi (community development block)|Bagmundi]], West Bengal in role of goddess Durga.]]

== Features of Chhau ==
[[File:Durga with Lion - Mahisasuramardini - Chhau Dance - Royal Chhau Academy - Science City - Kolkata 2014-02-13 9127.JPG|thumb|A Shaktism themed costumes for Chhau dance (Durga with Lion, Purulia style Chhau).]]
The Chhau dance is mainly performed during festivals in the region of [[Jharkhand]], [[West Bengal]] and [[Odisha]], especially the spring festival of [[Chaitra]] Parva and in which the whole community participates.<ref name="Khokar1984p185"/> The Purulia Chhau dance is celebrated during the Sun festival.<ref name=cl/>
[[File:Chhau dance.jpg|thumb|left|Artists from the Purulia district of West Bengal perform the Chhau dance]]
Masks form an integral part of Chhau dance in Purulia and Seraikella styles.<ref name=unescochhau/> The knowledge of dance, music and mask-making is transmitted orally.<ref>From: NOMINATION FILE NO. 00337 FOR INSCRIPTION ON THE REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE IN 2010, UNESCO 2010</ref> The Chhau dance found in northern Odisha does not use masks during the dance, but they do when the artists first appear on the stage for introduction to the audience.{{Sfn| Claus|2003|p=110}}

The two styles of Chhau dance that use masks, blend within it forms of both dance and martial practices employing mock combat techniques (called ''khel''), stylised gaits of birds and animals (called ''chalis'' and ''topkas'') and movements based on the chores of village housewives (called ''uflis'').<ref name=cl/> This form of the Chhau dance, states Mohan Khokar, has no ritual or ceremonial meaning, it is a form of community celebration and entertainment.<ref name="Khokar1984p185"/>

The dance is performed by male dancers, at night in an open space, called ''akhada'' or ''asar''. The dance is rhythmic and set to traditional folk music, played on the reed pipes ''mohuri'' and [[shehnai]].<ref name=unescochhau/> A variety of drums accompany the music ensemble including the [[dhol]] (a cylindrical drum), ''dhumsa'' (a large kettle drum) and ''kharka'' or ''chad-chadi''. The themes for these dances include local legends, folklore and episodes from the ''[[Ramayana]]'' and ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and other abstract themes.<ref name=unescochhau>[http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00011&RL=00337 Chhau dance] UNESCO, Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity</ref>

The precursors of Chhau dance (especially Purulia style) were not only ''Paika'' and Natua, but ''Nachni'' dance also played an important role in giving Chhau its present identity. Chhau dance borrows the female gaits and movements from the ''Nachni'' dance almost exclusively (Bhattacharya, 1983, Chakravarti, 2001, Kishore, 1985). The female dance elements in Chhau introduced the aspects of ''Lasya Bhava'' from the Natya Shastra that brought elegance, sensuality, and beauty in the dance form, whereas, the virile male dance movement is attributed to the Shiva's ''tandava'' style of dance (Bose 1991).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kishore, Vikrant|title=From real to reel : folk dances of India in Bollywood cinema|isbn=978-0-9925259-5-8|location=Adelaide, S. Aust.|oclc=894030959}}</ref> There are different interpretations to ''tandava'' and ''lasya''. I have above-mentioned the most commonly accepted definition of ''tandava'' and ''lasya'' above. Bose foregrounds the debate between the relation of ''lasya'' and ''tandava'' critically in his analysis of dance in Sanskrit texts. See Bose, Mandakranta.<ref>''Movement and Mimesis: The Idea of Dance in the Sanskritic Tradition.'' Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1991.</ref>

== Three styles of Chhau ==
[[File:Ileana Citaristi performing Mayurbhanj Chhau.gif|thumb|[[Ileana Citaristi]] performing Mayurbhanj Chhau (Shaivism theme).]]
The '''Seraikella Chhau''' developed in [[Seraikela]], when it was under the rule of Kalinga's [[Gajapati Empire|Gajapati Rule]] the present day administrative headquarters of the [[Seraikela Kharsawan district]] of [[Jharkhand]], the '''Purulia Chhau''' in [[Purulia district]] of [[West Bengal]] and the '''Mayurbhanj Chhau'''<ref name="mayur">{{Cite web |title=CHHAU DANCE OF MAYURBHANJ |url=http://mayurbhanj.nic.in/cult.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316174339/http://mayurbhanj.nic.in/cult.htm |archive-date=16 March 2012 |access-date=20 May 2012}}</ref> in [[Mayurbhanj district]] of [[Odisha]]. The most prominent difference among the three subgenres is regarding the use of masks. While, the Seraikela and Purulia subgenres of Chhau use masks during the dance, the Mayurbhanj Chhau uses none.<ref name=cl>[[#Claus|Claus, p. 110]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purulia.nic.in/distAdmin/departments/dico/chau_dance.html |title=Famous Folk Dance: "Chau" |publisher=[[Purulia district]] official website |access-date=15 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602171304/http://www.purulia.nic.in/distAdmin/departments/dico/chau_dance.html |archive-date=2 June 2013 }}</ref>

The Seraikella Chhau's technique and repertoire were developed by the erstwhile nobility of this region who were both its performers and choreographers, and in the modern era people from all backgrounds dance it.<ref name=cl/> The Seraikella Chhau is performed with symbolic masks, and the acting establishes the role the actor is playing.<ref name=cl/><ref name=khokar1984p187/> The Purulia Chhau uses extensive masks shaped in the form of the character being played; for example, a lion character has a face mask of lion and body costumes too with the actor walking on all fours.<ref name=cl/> These masks are crafted by potters who make clay images of Hindu gods and goddesses and is primarily sourced from the [[Purulia district]] of West Bengal.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pani|first=Jiwan|title=World of Other Faces - Indian Masks|year=1986|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India|location=New Delhi|pages=19–20}}</ref> In the Mayurbhanj Chhau is performed without masks and is technically similar to the Seraikella Chhau.<ref name=cl/><ref name=khokar1984p187>{{cite book|author=Mohan Khokar|title=Traditions of Indian classical dance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=prjnAAAAMAAJ|year=1984|publisher=Clarion Books|pages=186–187|isbn=9780391032750}}</ref>

==Recognition==

In 2010, the Chhau dance was inscribed in the [[UNESCO]]'s [[Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]].<ref>http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?pg=00011 |title=Intangible Heritage Lists</ref>

The [[Government of Odisha]] established the Government Chhau Dance Centre in 1960 in Seraikella and the Mayurbhanj Chhau Nritya Pratisthan at [[Baripada]] in 1962. These institutions engage in training involving local gurus, artists, patrons and representatives of Chhau institutions and sponsor performances. The Chaitra Parva festival, significant to the Chhau Dance, is also sponsored by the state government. The [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]] has established a National Centre for Chhau Dance at [[Baripada]], [[Odisha]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chhau Centre, Baripada/Jamshedpur|url=http://www.sangeetnatak.org/sna/chhau-centre.htm|publisher=Sangeet Natak Akademi|access-date=26 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313004358/http://sangeetnatak.org/sna/chhau-centre.htm|archive-date=13 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chhau centre at Baripada finds favour with Union Ministry|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/article3642105.ece|access-date=26 April 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 July 2012}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
*The [[Hindi film]] [[Barfi!]] has several scenes that features the ''Purulia Chhau'' in it.<ref>{{cite news|title=Film Review {{!}} Barfi!|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/PYBk7vmKGxRJKZEQwBwNkN/Film-Review--Barfi.html|access-date=26 April 2013|newspaper=HT Mint|date=13 September 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Chhau Dance of Purulia - Documentary - EZCC.webm|thumb|thumbtime=36:53|right|Chhau Dance of Purulia - Documentary - EZCC]]
*[[Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre]], Kolkata, brings you the documentary. The video is a documentary on the Purulia Chhau of West Bengal. The Chhau is a semi-classical dance form from Eastern India which has tribal and folk origins.

== Chhau mask ==
{{main|Chhau Mask}}
{{multiple image
| align = center
| total_width = 650
| title = <big>''Chhau masks and dancer of [[West Bengal]]''</big>

| image1 = Chhau dancer.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 = A Chhau dancer in Bagmundi

| image2 = Mask Purulia.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 = chhau mask

| image3 = Chaumasksanddrums.png
| alt3 =
| caption3 = mask and musical instrument of chhau dance

|image4 = Durga with Lion - Mahisasuramardini - Chhau Dance - Royal Chhau Academy - Science City - Kolkata 2014-02-13 9127.JPG
|alt4 =
|caption4 = Durga with Lion, Purulia style Chhau
}}
Purulia Chhau Dance is listed on [[UNESCO]]'s world heritage list of dances.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.utsavpedia.com/cultural-connections/indian-performing-arts/chhau-dance-of-purulia/|title=Chhau Dance: West Bengal's Performing Art Treasure |date=30 July 2015|work=Utsavpedia|access-date=12 February 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> The main difference between the Purulia Chhau and Mayurbhanj Chhau is in the use of the mask. Purulia Chhau uses masks in dance, but Mayurbhanj Chhau does not have masks thereby adding facial expression with body movements and gestures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://purulia.gov.in/distAdmin/departments/dico/chau_dance.html|title=The Official Website of Purulia District|website=purulia.gov.in|access-date=12 February 2018}}</ref> Traditionally, the chhau dance is held during mid-march when one agricultural circle ends and a new circle begins.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.daricha.org/sub_genre.aspx?ID=85&Name=Chho|title= Daricha Foundation |website=www.daricha.org|access-date=12 February 2018}}</ref> Purulia Chhau dancers wear the earthy and theatrical mask which represent the mythological characters. After making the shape of mask with clay, it is coloured and decorated with Shola and other things.

[[File:Chhau Mask of West Bengal in Indian Stamp.jpg|thumb|[[Chhau Mask]] of [[West Bengal]] in Indian Stamp, 2017]]
The '''Chhau mask''' of [[Purulia]] is registered under [[List of Geographical Indications in India|Geographical Indications]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/Bengal-handicrafts-to-get-new-fillip-with-GI-tags/article14572749.ece|title=Bengal handicrafts to get new fillip with GI tags|date=16 August 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 May 2018|agency=PTI|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> As the basic difference of Purulia Chhau the mask is unique and traditional.

[[File:Making Chau Mask.jpg|thumb|Chhau masks are being made in a household in Purulia]]
These chhau masks are made by the artists by the '''''Sutradhar community'''''. The making of a mask goes through various stages. 8-10 layers of soft paper, immersed in diluted glue, are pasted one after another on the mould before the mud mould is dusted with fine ash powder. The facial features are made of clay. A special layer of mud and cloth is applied and the mask is then sun-dried. After this, the mould is polished and the second round of sun drying is done before separating the layers of cloth and paper from the mould. After finishing and drilling of holes for the nose and eyes, the mask is coloured and decorated.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |url=https://www.indianculture.gov.in/mask-dances-bengal|title= Mask dances of Bengal|work=indianculture.gov.in|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.mollisarts.com/chhau-folk-art-mask-craft.html|title=Faces behind the Chhau Mask|website= www.mollisarts.com|access-date=11 June 2022|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Chhau Nritya (2).jpg|Chhau dance artist-female
File:Chhau Nritya (3).jpg|Chhau dance artist-male
File:Chhau Nritya (4).jpg|Chhau dance artist-male
File:Chhau Nritya (5).jpg|Chhau dance artists
File:Chhau Nritya (6).jpg|Chhau dance artist
File:Chhau Dancers.jpg|Chhau dancers in a village of Jharkhand
File:Chhau dancer demon mask.jpg|Chhau dancer with demon mask performing at night
File:Traditional chhau dancer.jpg|A chhau dancer performing among the villagers in Jharkhand
File:Mayurbhanj Chhau music troupe performing.jpg|A Mayurbhanj Chhau music troupe performing
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Asutosh Bhattacharya, ''Chhau dance of Purulia''. Pub. [[Rabindra Bharati University]], 1972.
* {{cite book |title=A dictionary of theatre anthropology: the secret art of the performer|last=Barba|first=Eugenio|author2=Nicola Savarese|year=1991 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=0-415-05308-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=31WqQLGeXRIC&q=Chhau&pg=PA207 |ref=Ba }}
* {{cite book |title=South Asian folklore: an encyclopedia|last=Claus|first=Peter J.|author2=Sarah Diamond |author3=Margaret Ann Mills |year=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=0-415-93919-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ienxrTPHzzwC&q=Chhau+dance&pg=PA110 |ref=Claus }}
* {{citation |title=South Asian folklore: an encyclopedia|last=Claus|first=Peter J.|display-authors=et al| year=2003|publisher=Routledge |isbn=0-415-93919-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ienxrTPHzzwC }}
* Kishore, Vikrant (2014). From real to reel : folk dances of India in Bollywood cinema. Adelaide, South Australia UNESCO-APNIEVE Australia {{ISBN|9780992525958}}, 9780992525996
* {{cite journal|last=Williams|first=Drid|s2cid=29065670|title=In the Shadow of Hollywood Orientalism: Authentic East Indian Dancing|url=http://jashm.press.illinois.edu/12.3/12-3IntheShadow_Williams78-99.pdf|journal=Visual Anthropology|volume=17|issue=1|year=2004|pages=69–98|publisher=Routledge|doi=10.1080/08949460490274013|access-date=2 August 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121105/http://jashm.press.illinois.edu/12.3/12-3IntheShadow_Williams78-99.pdf|url-status=dead}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Chhau dance}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VMlyg2ETbw Chhau dance: Spandan], Shiva themes, Carolina Prada (2013)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061007032215/http://www.boloji.com/dances/00109.htm Chau: The Rare Mask Dances]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130602171304/http://www.purulia.nic.in/distAdmin/departments/dico/chau_dance.html Purulia district website with information on Chhau]
* [http://mayurbhanj.nic.in/ Mauyrbhanj district website with information on Chhau]
* [http://www.seraikela.nic.in/ Saraikela Kharsawan district website with information on Chhau]

{{UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity|state=collapsed}}
{{Culture of West Bengal}}
{{Odia culture}}
{{Dance in India}}
{{Bengali Hindu people}}
{{West Bengal}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chhau Dance}}
[[Category:Chhau]]
[[Category:Folk dances of Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Culture of Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:War dances]]
[[Category:Purulia]]
[[Category:Folk dances of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Folk dances of Odisha]]
[[Category:Intangible Cultural Heritage of India]]

Chhau - Revision history

Miquel41G60448 at 00:37, 27 April 2026