[Ravinder]

Chhau, also written as Chau, is a semi-classical Indian dance form. This dance form is popular amongst tribal, martial and folk belonging to Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

The amazing dance form can be divided into three categories namely:

Purulia Chhau, which is popular in West Bengal

Mayurbhanj Chhau, which is popular in Odisha

Seraikella Chhau, which is popular in Jharkhand

The dance form is categorised into three types based on their region of origins.

[Jaskaran]

Chhau is a very popular dance form amongst tribals in India. This dance form incorporates martial arts elements in its movements. Again, Chhau dance can be divided into three types based on their origins. Originally this dance form belongs to a district called Purulia in West Bengal. Combative training and martial arts is the main inspiration behind this dance form. Chau is used to telling stories to the people. This is the reason why dancers wear headgear and elaborate masks while performing this dance form.

[Sonakshi]

Chau dance is so amazing that it is popular all over India and a favourite of many people like me who are not even from the states where it is a tradition. It is a dance form that is very popular in three Indian states namely, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa. This dance form tries to tell stories to the audience. Oftentimes, dancers enact stories from epics such as Ramayana and the Mahabharata. They also Perform on local folklore as well as abstract themes. This dance form is almost one hundred years old and was greatly endorsed by royal families, British governors and rich landlords in those regions.

The dance form is extremely popular at the time of the Gajan Festival. Gajan festival is celebrated to honour the God Shiva.