Chhau (Mayurbhanj)

Understand

Where Chhau (Mayurbhanj) comes from

Chhau is a semi-classical martial dance tradition of eastern India with three regional styles — Purulia Chhau (West Bengal), Seraikella Chhau (Jharkhand) and Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha). The Mayurbhanj style, associated with the royal court of the Mayurbhanj Bhanja dynasty, does not use masks (unlike the Purulia and Seraikella styles). Mayurbhanj Chhau is known for its high leaps, gymnastic jumps and athletic martial movement combined with the classical and Vaishnava-Shakta narrative repertoire drawn from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. In 2010 UNESCO inscribed Chhau as a whole (all three styles) on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The dance is performed at the spring Chaitra Parva festival and at the Sun (Surya) festival in Mayurbhanj.

How it's practiced

Mayurbhanj Chhau is performed by troupes of men in brightly-coloured costumes representing Vaishnava and Shaiva characters. The dance is a vivid blend of martial kicks, leaps and acrobatics with evocative mime — the heroes and demons leap and gesture through the stories of Krishna and the Puranas. Masks are not used (distinguishing it from the Purulia and Seraikella styles), but the heads and bodies are ornately costumed. Music is led by the dhol, the nagara and the shehnai, with the dance building to a fierce climactic battle. Costume is the regional Mayurbhanj martial style with bright turbaned headdress, embroidered waistcoat and dhoti. The dance is performed at the spring festival of Chaitra Parva and at the Sun (Surya) festival.