Biswajit_Dey
Chhau Dance of Bengal
Initiated in the Baghmundi area of Purulia district, Chhau Dance is performed in Bengal to celebrate the sun festival. The colorful masks that are used by the Dancers during the performance have a unique artistic appeal. Themes of Chhau Dance are based on two historical Indian epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The general structure of Chhau Dance in Bengal comprises of a group of men some of whom enact the divine characters while some others play the role of demonic figures. The Dance primarily depicts the dynamic victory of the good spirits over the evil ones.
While the faces of the Chhau Dancers are covered with masks of various mythical characters, the expressions of the form are shown through movements of the hands and feet. Vigorous jumps, hops and other similar energetic moves of the Dancers set the mood of Chhau.
Performed during the night hours, Chhau Dance of Bengal demands an open area, generally village grounds, where the Dancers can freely make movements with their limbs. Chhau Dancers generally wear bright shades of clothes like that of green, red, yellow and black. Men who play the role of Gods use red, green and yellow colors, while those who enact the devils’ part wear black costumes.
Dhol and dhamsa are the prime musical instruments played during the Chhau performance. While the Dance starts with the beating of Dhol, Dhamsa catches the beats in between the performance.
From a very early age, Chhau Dance is occupying a significant position in the Dance tradition of Bengal and today it is seen as one of the most popular artistic excellence of Bengal.
Chhau Dance of Bengal
Initiated in the Baghmundi area of Purulia district, Chhau Dance is performed in Bengal to celebrate the sun festival. The colorful masks that are used by the Dancers during the performance have a unique artistic appeal. Themes of Chhau Dance are based on two historical Indian epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The general structure of Chhau Dance in Bengal comprises of a group of men some of whom enact the divine characters while some others play the role of demonic figures. The Dance primarily depicts the dynamic victory of the good spirits over the evil ones.
While the faces of the Chhau Dancers are covered with masks of various mythical characters, the expressions of the form are shown through movements of the hands and feet. Vigorous jumps, hops and other similar energetic moves of the Dancers set the mood of Chhau.
Performed during the night hours, Chhau Dance of Bengal demands an open area, generally village grounds, where the Dancers can freely make movements with their limbs. Chhau Dancers generally wear bright shades of clothes like that of green, red, yellow and black. Men who play the role of Gods use red, green and yellow colors, while those who enact the devils’ part wear black costumes.
Dhol and dhamsa are the prime musical instruments played during the Chhau performance. While the Dance starts with the beating of Dhol, Dhamsa catches the beats in between the performance.
From a very early age, Chhau Dance is occupying a significant position in the Dance tradition of Bengal and today it is seen as one of the most popular artistic excellence of Bengal.