Chhau Dance (also spelled Chau / Chhou)

Chhau is one of eastern India’s most dynamic traditional dance forms. It combines dance, martial techniques, acrobatics and storytelling. Performers, traditionally men, enact mythological and folk themes to the rhythm of drums such as the dhol, dhumsa and kharka, with the shehnai (reed pipe) providing melody. The dance is usually performed at night in an open space, with torches or lamps lighting the arena.
Chhau has three main styles, named after the places where they developed:

1)Seraikella Chhau: Graceful and refined, with elaborate masks and a strong classical flavor.
2)Purulia Chhau: Vigorous and powerful, with large, colorful masks and towering headgear.
3)Mayurbhanj Chhau: Performed without masks, so facial expression and body movement carry the story. It is known for its martial vocabulary.

Chhau’s exact origins are debated. The name is variously linked to the Sanskrit word chhaya (shadow or mask), chhauni (military camp or armor), or a local word meaning “disguise.” Its martial movements suggest roots in the training and mock combat of regional warriors and tribal communities. The form developed under the patronage of local royal families:

1.Seraikella: The princely house of Seraikella nurtured and refined the style, turning it into a courtly art. Members of the royal family performed it themselves, and in the 20th century they helped carry it to audiences abroad.
2.Mayurbhanj: The patronage of the Mayurbhanj rulers helped preserve the maskless style, and it was later formalized through institutions such as the Utkal University of Culture.
3.Purulia: It developed as a folk form among rural communities and is still performed largely in village settings.

After independence, Chhau gained national and international recognition through state support, festivals and cultural institutions. The Seraikella royal family also played a key role in taking it overseas.

Chhau is closely tied to community life and is performed at regional festivals, especially Chaitra Parva (spring festival) in Seraikella and Gambhira/Shiva-related festivals in the region.It preserves stories from epics and local lore, keeping oral and performative traditions alive across generations.It reflects the shared heritage of tribal and non-tribal communities in the region.
Mask-making is a related craft, practiced by artisan families, particularly in Charida village (Purulia) and Seraikella.Dancers train through the guru-shishya tradition, passing skills from teacher to student.The form is also a symbol of regional identity and pride.