The chhau dance originates in the purulia district in west bengal and draws inspiration from martial arts and combative training. An interactive arts approachprovides an indepth look at dance from the dawn of time through the 20th century. She was awarded the 43rd national film awards for best choreography for yugant in 1995 and became, in 2006, the first dancer of foreign origin to be conferred the padma shri for her contributions to odissi. Mohapatra sitakant 1993 chhau dance of mayurbhanjthe tasks ahead. In a vast country like india with mind blowing cultural diversity, there are hundreds of traditions of music, dances and theatre forms scattered across the far corners of the land. Dance history explores the intersection of the collective narrative with the human body. Chhau dance was once taught only to male dancers hailing from families of orthodox artists or from the regional clique.
It is believed that the word chhau is derived from the sanskrit word chhaya meaning shadow or image. Chhau nrityabreaking the glass ceilings within dance forms. Shashadhar acharya represents the fifth generation in the family of traditional chhau performers who have significantly contributed in the evolution and development of the dance form. With origins shrouded in mystery, the chhau dancer communicates inner.
Each mask maker has his own trademark, meaning no two masks are. According to its origin, we have three forms of chhau folk dance. Using an investigative approach, this book presents the who, what, when, where, why, and how of dance history in relation to other arts and to historical, political, and social events. Chhau reflect both an artistic achievement and a way of life. Dancing developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action. The origins of dance the earliest history of human dance is a continuing mystery. The highest civilian award for the contribution to chhau dance tradition and choreography. The cultural ministry of india has included chhau into the list of classical dances that makes a total of 9 classical dance form. The story of the chou dance of the former mayurbhanj state, orissa. List of indian dance forms classical, folk dances of india. Chhau dance insightsias insights on india homepage insights. Ancient farmers dances threatened with extinction the new.
Chhau dance history, terms and techniques, moves, videos, tutorials, facts, glossary, terminology, vocabulary, costume, attire, learn chhau dance. This article is about the various indian dance forms which is an epitome of indias rich cultural heritage. Its three distinct styles hail from the regions of seraikella, purulia and mayurbhanj, the first two using masks. The chhau, a unique form of masked dance, is preserved by the royal family of the former state of saraikela in jharkhand. History of chhau dance it is usually difficult to gauge the exact origin of things, especially of art. Performing arts like classical dances are integral parts of indian culture. This dance form is predominantly seen in the states of odissa, west bengal and jharkhand. Later, during the th year of exile of the pandavas while. Masks form an integral part of chhau dance in purulia and seraikella styles. If we look at the basic differences between the three different styles of chhau, the chhau dancers of purulia wear highly stylized masks, in seraikela the masks are smaller, while in mayurbhanj the dancers do not always use masks. Chhau dance, also spelled as chau or chhaau, is a semi classical indian dance with martial, tribal and folk traditions, 1 with origins in eastern india. A tribal martial dance of the indian states of odisha, jharkhand and west bengal, chhau is known for its vigour and vitality.
In so doing, this text provides a number of ways to create, perceive. In the latter part of this book the achievements of leading delhibased dancers are recorded and, at the same time, new talent is readily recognized. Its costumes include mainly pyjamas in yellow or deep green or red shade worn by the dancers playing the role of gods. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many rulers of odisha region took interest in the development of this art. You can not understand history of dance without understanding how dance is the individuation of collective storytelling. Originated from the martial dance phari khanda khela playing with the sword and the shield, the chhau dance had been of interest to many rulers of odisha during the 18 th and the 19 th centuries. The origin of chhau is attributed to mayurbhanj, a princely state in the 18th century. Performances begin with the fight between good and evil and conclude with the end of evil.
Chhau dance performing artists mayurbhanj chhau artistes performing to a vaishnavite theme at bhubaneswar a video of chau dance in purulia. He acts out a short theme and performs a series of vignettes. Theatre and dance in south asia stem principally from indian tradition. The history of chhau dance is intricately connected with the history of the erstwhile rajahs of seraikela the singh deo rulers, many of whom were. Chhau dance is a semiclassical indian dance with martial, tribal, and folk origins from the eastern indian states such as west bengal, odhisa, and jharkhand. Chhau dance has a significant role in the celebration of the spring festival chaitra parva, being innately connected to its rituals.
It is found in three styles named after the location where they are performed, i. The dancer impersonates a god, animal, bird, hunter, rainbow, night, or flower. It is a peoples art as it involves the entire community. The dance originated several years back in order to celebrate the good weather of the spring season and also for the purpose of merriment in the various festivals like idul fitr.
Chhau dance is a tradition from eastern india that enacts episodes from epics including the mahabharata and ramayana, local folklore and abstract themes. Chhau dance is a mask dance prevalent in eastern india. During the early stages of his career, he performed with the troupe led by kumar. It is believed that the word chhau is derived from the sanskrit word chhaya meaning.
However, the male rampart of chhau was dissented by women. Written by an acknowledged authority, indias dances is, quite simply, a defmitive volume on some of. Ileana citaristi is an italianborn odissi and chhau dancer, and dance instructor based in bhubaneswar, india. Dance as a theatre art provides an overall view of the history of theatrical dance in europe and america during the last four centuries. The principles of aesthetics and gesture language in the natyashastra, a 2,000yearold sanskrit treatise on dramaturgy, have been the mainstay of all the traditional dancers and actors in india. Chhau move is a semiestablished indian dance form that has hit the dance floor with the military, tribal and people origins with starting points in the eastern indian conditions of west bengal, jharkhand, and odisha it is found in three styles named after the area where they are performed, i. Kirod singh munda, a 55yearold chhau dancer quoted in her book. Origin of classical dances most of the classical dance forms originated in temples. Origin and history the chhau dance has roots in the tribal rituals but also draws inspiration from martial arts, mock combat, semiclassical dance, acrobatics, athletics and storytelling. Although every dance form evolved from different regions, their roots are the same. Guruji our father janmejoy sai babu says that arjuna was the first chhau dancer, who learnt the art while watching the celestial apsara urvashi dance in the court of his father. He served as the founder director of the government chhau dance centre chhau nritya kala kendra of the government of jharkhand where he served from 1974 to 1988. The form derives content from epics like ramayana and mahabharata and some episodes of the puranas.
List of books and articles about dance history online. Kedar nath sahoo was an indian classical dancer, known as one of the leading exponents of the seraikella tradition of chhau dance. Mayurbhanj chau of odisha, seraikella chau of jharkhand, and purulia chau of west. Today, three variations of the dance are performed in eastern india seraikella chhau in jharkhand, mayurbhanj chhau in orissa, and purulia chhau in west bengal. From the government of india, ministry of information, films division. Dance history is not only an academic or artistic undertaking. Originally a tribal dance, which originated from the forests of mayurbhanj, odisha in the 18th century, it got the status of a martial art form in the 19th century. A master of seraikela chhau, acharya has a number of awards and recognitions to his credit. Jul 10, 2014 the history of chhau dance is intricately connected with the history of the erstwhile rajahs of seraikela the singh deo rulers, many of whom were performers and choreographers themselves. The dances of india are among the oldest dance genres still widely practiced today. Chhau dance intangible heritage culture sector unesco. The exhibition exhibits sixty 60 vibrant masks of seraikella chhau dance. Chhau dance is a genre of indian tribal martial dance which is wellliked in the indian states of odisha, jharkhand and west bengal.
This is a megapost which cover the details of all classical dances in india. 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. Chhau, a form of tribal martial dance of india, is believed to have originated in the former princely state of mayurbhanj. In fact, it is this inclusive quality that has made chhau a ritualistic martial dance and not only a martial practice with attack and defense purposes. There are three subgenres of the dance, based on its places of origin and development, seraikella chhau, mayurbhanj chhau and purulia chhau. A counterreading of the western approach to chhau dance.
Chhau, indian folk dance chhau dance is considered as the advanced dance form of traditional tribal dance that has developed gradually with time and with. In recent years they have become increasingly known and appreciated all over the world. Those playing the role of demons wear loose trousers of a deep black shade. Chhau is a martial art based dance or dancedrama forms of east india. Seraikella chhau dance a globally relevant theatre idiom the seraikellachhau has been approved by unesco in the year 2010 as intangible heritage of india. Source readings, consisting of theoretical essays, librottos, and excerpts from technical manuals, combine with dr. The village is known for purulia chhau dance famous for its crafted masks and mock combat movements. Biswabharati odiya sahitya parisad, grantha mandir. South asian arts south asian arts dance and theatre. Chhau dance, also spelled as chau or chhaau, is a semi classical indian dance with martial, tribal and folk traditions, with origins in eastern india. This book details the history of the several styles of indian dance and gives an account of the cultural, religious, social and political factors which influenced their growth and development.
The film will also focus seraikella, jharkhand and its glories culture of heritage of chhau dance. Cohens introductions and headnotes to cover every major trend and personality of the period. Chhau dance perhaps originated from martial dance phari khanda khela. From vague to vogue book online at best prices in india on. The costumes and mannequins of the dancers have been also exhibited with the details regarding the each chhau mask. Vidyapuri mohapatra, nagendra nath 1995c mayurbhanj chhau nrutya in oriya. Chhau dance dance of the shadow the swift and smooth movements of the dancers, unrestrained by the elaborate costume or the heavy face mask define the dance form purulia chhau. Ignca library, chhau mask making exhibition unveiled. The chhau dance is a popular form of tribal dance in india that incorporates elements of martial arts into its movements. Itihas, sanskriti aur kala 2 vols hindi edition 9788124606452. Although every dance form evolved from different regions, their roots are. The dance is known as seraikela chhau in jharkhand, mayurbhanj chhau in orissa and purulia chhau in west bengal.
The glossary of terms germane to the different styles is a useful adjunct as is the bibliography. Seraikella chhau dance previously in 1920 was only nritya, but due to contribution of late kumar bijay pratap singhdeo and maharaja of seraikella late aditya pratap singhdeo change of the tradition in various ways and there is classic story music based on rag, tale also based on chanda. I recently received a book i ordered from you that i could not find anywhere else. This film highlights the manner in which the sadhei kala chhau dance form and their traditions have developed with a classical base from the code of bharatas natyashastra, which is unique. In the final chapter of her book indian folk theatres 2007, julia.
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