Mayurbhanj Chhau
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The Odisha form of Chhau, a vigorous martial dance of Mayurbhanj performed without masks, telling stories from the epics and village life.
FolkWhere: Odisha (Mayurbhanj district, around Baripada)Occasion: Chaitra Parva, the spring festival in March–April; also stage performancesUNESCO heritage 2010
| Performed by | Traditionally men, in groups trained in akhadas |
|---|---|
| Costume | Bright costumes and headgear for each character; unlike Seraikela and Purulia Chhau, dancers do not wear masks |
| Music and instruments | Dhol, dhumsa (large kettle drum) and the mohuri (a shehnai-like pipe) |
How it is performed
- Dancers learn basic units called topkas (gaits) and uflis (movements imitating animals, birds and daily chores), drawn from mock combat.
- Performances open with an invocation, then move into dances that tell episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas.
- Leaps, spins and sharp changes of direction show the martial roots of the form.
- Because there is no mask, the dancer’s face also expresses the mood of the story.
Significance
Chhau, in its Seraikela, Purulia and Mayurbhanj forms, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. The Mayurbhanj style was supported for generations by the former royal family of Mayurbhanj.