Seraikela Chhau
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A masked dance-drama of Seraikela in Jharkhand, rooted in martial movements, that tells stories from the epics and from nature through stylised gestures.
FolkWhere: Jharkhand (Seraikela-Kharsawan district)Occasion: Chaitra Parva, the spring festival of Chaitra (March–April); also stage performancesUNESCO heritage 2010
| Performed by | Traditionally male dancers, trained from childhood under gurus |
|---|---|
| Costume | Painted masks of papier-mâché and clay that hide the face, with bright costumes and headdresses for each character |
| Music and instruments | Dhol, nagara and the shehnai-like mohuri, playing melodies based on folk tunes |
How it is performed
- Dancers train in basic exercises called topka and uflis, drawn from martial movements and the everyday actions of village life.
- With the face hidden by a mask, the dancer expresses the character through the body, especially the movements of the torso, arms and feet.
- Each item is short and shows one theme, such as a peacock, a boatman, Radha and Krishna, or an episode of the Ramayana or Mahabharata.
- The drums and mohuri lead the rhythm, and the dancer’s leaps, turns and pauses follow them closely.
Significance
Seraikela Chhau grew under the patronage of the former rulers of Seraikela. Chhau, practised in Seraikela, Purulia (West Bengal) and Mayurbhanj (Odisha), is on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.