Chhau or the mask-dance of Orissa in eastern India had its origin in the martial art form. The word chhau orginates from the Sanskrit word chhaya or shade in reference to the mask that the dancer wears. While the Chhau dance of Bihar and West Bengal makes use of the mask during the dance, the Mayurbhanj Chhau does not use masks. It is performed traditionally by men and is related to th shiva cult in Orissa. No dais or raised platform is required as the dance is performed on the ground and the audience sits around the performer.
It is essentially a tribal dance performed in the olden days to appease the Sun-god. In this form, the dancers use movements that require a high degree of control, balance and skill One leg is raised to the level of the chest, rotating it around the body while the dancer stands balanced on the other leg. The Bihari Chhau is performed with pretty masks on and the dance is based on themes like the night, the moon, the sun and Nature. It is an extremely lyrical style of dance, almost feminine.
The west Bengal Chhau is performed with great vigour and with very elaborate masks and headgear. It is a very manly form of dance and entails leaps in the air, somersaults and twirls again and again. The dancers are male and require a strong stamina and control over technique. The actors play the roles of Ganesha,Durga, Shiva and other mythological characters. The prime objective of this dance is to show that evil forces are vanquished by righteous forces.
The accompanying music is based on Hindustani raga and instruments like dhol,drums and shehnai provide vigour to the dance movements.
