Chhau is a traditional Indian dance style incorporating martial arts and folk culture. Three distinct styles exist – Purulia Chhau (West Bengal), Seraikella Chhau (Jharkhand) and Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha). Inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2010
Key Characteristics of Purulia Chhau
- Originated in the Purulia district of West Bengal over 500 years ago
- Traditionally an all-male folk dance drama
- Features vibrant masks, elaborate costumes and powerful rhythms
- Martial movements inspired by historic military techniques and sensibilities
Themes and Subjects
- Depictions of heroic stories, local legends and mythological episodes
- Common themes are good versus evil, mythological wars involving gods and demons, epic love tales
- Social issues, current affairs also portrayed sometimes challenging set norms
Performance Elements
- Spectacular colorful masks crafted of wood and papier-mâché
- Ornate headgear with peacock feathers projecting a stunning visual dimension
- Brilliantly-hued costumes with Mughal-style long skirts
- Extensive set pieces and backdrops made from cloth, bamboo, wood
- Deploys traditional percussion, wind and string instruments for dramatic effect
Main Characters and Roles
- Chhai (dancer/performer): Athletic and graceful protagonist enacting the characters
- Dohar (drummers): Provide powerful rhythmic pulse triggering movements
- Gurus (coaches): Train performers and oversee various aspects of production
- Sutradhar (narrator): Recites story and dialogues setting the context for audiences
Performance Structure
- Starts with ceremonial entrance and stylized march (prabesh)
- Followed by Interpretative Dance building story (nritya)
- Climaxes in mock combat involving acrobatics and military formations (khel)
- Concludes with ceremonial exit (bidaap) paying respects to deities
Spiritual Dimensions
- Influenced by Hindu myths and regional folk tales infused with local flare
- Dancers venerate the deity Madan Mohan and seek blessings before every show
- Rituals performed before dance drama for protection against accidents
- Reflects ancient mysticism and spirituality through music and movements
Practitioners and Training
- Male dance troupes comprising 50-100 members hand down the tradition
- Boys trained from early age under Guru-Shishya Parampara in art form nuances
- Training regimes build muscular coordination, control, stamina over years
- Fosters brotherhood, bonding, discipline and keeps youth away from societal ills
| Chhau Dance Variants Comparison | Purulia (West Bengal) | Seraikella (Jharkhand) | Mayurbhanj (Odisha) |
| Key Themes | Good vs evil, Hindu mythology stories | Love stories, Radha-Krishna legends | Martial skills, valor |
| Costumes Style | Long flowing skirts | Short tight jackets | Large headgears with decorations |
| Headgear | Peacock feathers | Tied turbans | Studded with mirrors, stones |
| Music Instruments | Dhol, Jhanj, Tamak | Traditional drums like Dhol, Dhumsa | Flute, Clarinet |
Recent Developments
- Purulia Chhau dancers performed in the Republic Day parade in 2021 showcasing the heritage globally
- Younger generation getting drawn towards learning and performing Chhau
- Women also breaking stereotypes and training in the dance form
- Fusion experiments blending Chhau with contemporary themes and music styles
Challenges
- Lack of financial support and proper infrastructure hampering growth
- Migration affecting troupe strength and continuity
- Lack of formal recognition and patronage for performers
Government Initiatives
- National Centre for Performing Arts at Purulia promoting Purulia Chhau through workshops
- Gurus provided monthly pension and medical insurance
- Sponsoring festivals, campaigns to raise awareness on Chhau heritage
Future Prospects
- Collaboration opportunities with international cultural academies
- Scope to enhance tourism prospects by Chhau performances
- Online training modules making it accessible across geographies
By focusing on infrastructure development, capacity building and combining technology with tradition, the rich legacy of Purulia Chhau can be preserved while also giving it contemporary relevance.
- As a living embodiment of indigenous cultural heritage, martial skills and spiritual traditions, Purulia Chhau offers vibrant expressions to regional identity and diversity.
- With its mythical storylines told through awe-inspiring craftsmanship and athleticism on stage and its deeper connect with esoteric facets, it continues to capture imaginations generation after generation.
- The comparative details on the table showcase stylistic variations across the three Chhau genres from the eastern region while highlighting the common thread of rich folkflavors imbued in them.
