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{{short description|Indian semi classical martial dance originating in | {{short description|Indian semi classical martial dance originating in East India}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}} | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}} | ||
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[[File:Mayurbhanj Chau artistes performing with depiction of Krishna and gopi, Bhubaneswar.jpg|thumb|Mayurbhanj Chhau artistes performing to a [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavite]] theme at [[Bhubaneswar]]]] | [[File:Mayurbhanj Chau artistes performing with depiction of Krishna and gopi, Bhubaneswar.jpg|thumb|Mayurbhanj Chhau artistes performing to a [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavite]] theme at [[Bhubaneswar]]]] | ||
[[File:Chhau Dance of Purulia.ogv|thumb|A video of Chau dance in Purulia]] | [[File:Chhau Dance of Purulia.ogv|thumb|A video of Chau dance in Purulia]] | ||
'''Chhau dance''' | '''Chhau dance''', also spelled '''Chhou dance''', is a semi classical [[India]]n dance with martial and folk traditions.{{Sfn|Williams|2004|pp=83-84, is a semi classical [[India]]n 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 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}} | ||
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
Chhau is a folk dance of the [[Rarh region]]. 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, armor, 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> | Chhau is a folk dance of the [[Rarh region]] of Bengal. 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, armor, 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 Bagmundi in role of goddess Durga.]] | [[File:Chhau dancer.jpg|thumb|A Chhau dancer in Bagmundi in role of goddess Durga.]] | ||
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== Three styles of Chhau == | == Three styles of Chhau == | ||
[[File:Ileana Citaristi performing Mayurbhanj Chhau.gif|thumb|[[Ileana Citaristi]] performing Mayurbhanj Chhau (Shaivism theme).]] | [[File:Ileana Citaristi performing Mayurbhanj Chhau.gif|thumb|[[Ileana Citaristi]] performing Mayurbhanj Chhau (Shaivism theme).]] | ||
The '''Seraikella Chhau''' developed in [[Seraikela]], 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>{{cite web|title=CHHAU DANCE OF MAYURBHANJ|url=http://mayurbhanj.nic.in/cult.htm|access-date=20 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316174339/http://mayurbhanj.nic.in/cult.htm|archive-date=16 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</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''' 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>{{cite web|title=CHHAU DANCE OF MAYURBHANJ|url=http://mayurbhanj.nic.in/cult.htm|access-date=20 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316174339/http://mayurbhanj.nic.in/cult.htm|archive-date=16 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</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> | 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> | ||
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==Recognition== | ==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> | 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> | 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> | ||
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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|others=PTI|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> As the basic difference of Purulia Chhau the mask is unique and traditional. | 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|others=PTI|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> As the basic difference of Purulia Chhau the mask is unique and traditional. | ||
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 colored and decorated.<ref name=":3">https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5590e1c1e4b01cfd84ef7264/t/56bd94ae7da24fd5476fbc2e/1455264959070/Masks+of+Bengal.pdf</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.biswabangla.in/ldf-blog/2015/9/22/the-mask|title=The Mask|work=Biswa Bangla|access-date=12 February 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> | [[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 colored and decorated.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |title=Masks of Bengal |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5590e1c1e4b01cfd84ef7264/t/56bd94ae7da24fd5476fbc2e/1455264959070/Masks+of+Bengal.pdf |website=squarespace.com |access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.biswabangla.in/ldf-blog/2015/9/22/the-mask|title=The Mask|work=Biswa Bangla|access-date=12 February 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
== | ==Further reading== | ||
* Asutosh Bhattacharya, ''Chhau dance of Purulia''. Pub. [[Rabindra Bharati University]], 1972. | * 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=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 }} | ||