CHAU

Chau dance is a genre of tribal martial dance, which is popular in the Indian states of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa. Its origin is attributed to Mayurbhanj, an erstwhile princly state of Orissa.There are three subgenres of the dance, based on its places of origin and development. Seraikella Chau was developed in Seraikela, the present day administrative headquarters of the Seraikela Kharsawan district of Jharkhand, Purulia Chau was developed in Purulia district of West Bengal and Mayurbhanj Chau was developed in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa. The most prominent difference among the three subgenres is in the use of mask. While, the Seraikela and Purulia subgenres of Chau use masks, the Mayurbhanj Chau uses none.

The Chau dance is epical in content, and is based on various episodes of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Sometimes certain episodes of the Puranas are also used. The dominant rasas are Vira and Rudra. In the end, generally, forces of evil are vanquished and the righteous triumphs. In the villages, no dais or raised platform is used; the dance takes place on the ground around which, the spectators sit in a circle. When performing outside their villages the dancers often use the stage.

The dance, opens with the beating of drums followed by an invocation to Ganesha. by a singer. As soon as the singer finishes the song, host of drummers and musicians step in creates an in inexplicably wonderful environ prior to the dance. Ganesha appears followed in quick succession by other characters —gods, demons, animals and birds.

Chau dance is a dance full of vitality and robustness, unlike any of the Indian dances. During the performance, the entire body and being of the dancer is employed as a single unit i.e. as his language. This body language is extremely poetic and powerful. The legs even form an effective means of communicating the expression. Although the face is covered by the mask, it mysteriously expresses the feelings to be communicated.