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Chhau dance

Chhau dance performing artists

Mayurbhanj Chhau artistes performing to a Vaishnavite theme at Bhubaneswar
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A video of Chau dance in Purulia
Chhau dance, also spelled as Chau or Chhaau, is a semi classical Indian dance with martial, tribal and folk traditions,[1] with origins in the Purulia district in West Bengal. It is found in three styles named after the location where they are performed, i.e. the Purulia Chau of Bengal, the Seraikella Chau of Jharkhand, and the Mayurbhanj Chau 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.[2] The stories enacted by Chhau dancers include those from the Hindu epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Puranas and other Indian literature.[2][3]

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.[3] The dance is amazing and brings together people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in a festive and religious spirit.[2][3]

Etymology

Features of Chhau

Three styles of Chhau

Recognition

In popular culture

Chhau mask

Gallery

Notes

References

External links

Last edited 3 days ago by an anonymous user
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