Chhau dance, folk dance of Bengal

A woman performs Chhau dance in Lokotsava. She wears a mask and traditional Indian dress.

The Chhau Dance is a popular form of tribal dance in India that incorporates elements of martial arts into its movements. This dance form is predominantly seen in the states of Orissa, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. According to certain literary scholars, the word Chhau is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Chhaya’ which essentially means masks, shadow or image while other scholars believe that the word is derived from ‘Chhauni‘ which means military camp.

The Chhau Dance originates in the Purulia district in West Bengal and draws inspiration from martial arts and combative training. This form of dance is a means to portray stories to the audience, which is why elaborate masks and headgear associated with battle and war are worn during the performance.

The costume plays a vital role in this performance as the Purulia Chhau Dance is known for its distinctive set and costumes. The male dancers wear brightly colored dhotis (flared bottoms) with a matching kurta on top. The kurta is usually obscured by the vast amount of costume jewelry that is worn in the form of necklaces.

Source: utsavpedia.com

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