Question

Short note on Chhau dance ​

Answer 1

Answer:

Chhau dance, also spelled as Chau or Chhaau, is a semi classical Indian dance originated in the Purulia district of West Bengal with martial, tribal and folk traditions,with origins in eastern India. It is found in three styles named after the location where they are performed, i.e. the Purulia Chau of Bengal, the Seraikella Chau of Jharkhand, and the Mayurbhanj Chau of Odisha.The dance ranges from celebrating martial arts, acrobatics and athletics performed in festive themes of a folk dance, to a structured dance with religious themes found in Shaivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism. The costumes vary between the styles, with Purulia and Serakeilla using masks to identify the character. The stories enacted by Chhau dancers include those from the Hindu epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Puranas and other Indian literature.The Chhau dance is mainly performed during festivals in the region of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha, especially the spring festival of Chaitra Parva and in which the whole community participates. The Purulia Chhau dance is celebrated during the Sun festival.

Answer 2

• Chhau dance is an ancient Indian dance form that has withstood the test of time.
• It is one of the oldest forms of Indian dance that has been preserved in its complete form.
• As a result, the genre is often seen as a symbol of cultural values and practice.
• There are several distinct styles of Chhau dance, of which two are most commonly practised today – kathak and sajni.
• Chhau dancing became popular in India during the late 19th century, and soon became a preserve of the wealthy elite and the performing arts.
• Although it was seen by some as a lower-class dance form, performing it required skill, dexterity, and training to become a master of the art, and it was not limited to members of the nobility.
• Chhau dancing was more than an art form, it was also an important part of religious life for Hindus, and as such, was considered central to the Hindu belief system.
• Many learned to dance through the traditional arts of Kathak and Bharatanatyam, and many others learned to dance in all styles through the Bollywood film industry.

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