Mayurbhanj Chhau is a traditional dance form popular among indigenous communities living in and around Mayurbhanj district in Odisha. The dance is traditionally performed during Chaitra Sangkranti in April and other local festivals like Rajah Parab, Shivaratri, Kalipuja, Lakshmipuja etc. The vigorous and acrobatic movements done with props like swords and shields are known as Hatiyardhora while softer movements are known as Kalibhonga. The popular themes most of which are taken from mythological tales include Mahishashurmardini, Abhimanyu Badh, Krishnarjuna, Tandava Nritya, Raasleela, Shiva Parvati, Bhagirath etc. Another kind of performance depicts social life of the region and used to perform with Jhumur songs, another folk music form. Musicians play traditional music instruments Dhol, Dhamsa, Muhuri (Sehnai) during the performance. The dance form also got royal patronage during the rule of Ramchandra Bhanjdeo (1882 – 1912) in Baripada, a town in Mayurbhanj district in Odisha.
This traditional dance is one of the living examples of how practising cultural heritage is integrally linked with the local festivals observed by the rural community and their lifestyles.
There are around 222 teams among which only 100 - 120 teams are still practicing this traditional dance in the Mayurbhanj region. The teams mostly perform at the local festivals, however, few teams....
There are around 222 teams among which only 100 - 120 teams are still practicing this traditional dance in the Mayurbhanj region. The teams mostly perform at the local festivals, however, few teams are also invited to perform at various cultural programmes in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai and other cities. Only a handful of artists got the opportunity to perform at international stages in Singapore, Britain, South Africa, Indonesia, Uganda, Kenya etc. Sangeet Natak Academy (SNA) and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) are the two central organizations who facilitate such performance opportunities for the traditional artists. SNA has also undertaken a project in which they provide stipend to junior and senior artists as well as Gurus. However, performing opportunities at national level is dwindling at present due to lack of support from the SNA and EZCC.
The reputed teams usually get around 20 performances in a year. The annual Chau festival in Baripada provide opportunity for the rural Chau groups to showcase heir skill to audience. They perform locally as well as other cities such as Mumbai, Jamshedpur, Konark, Bisakhapatnam, Khajuraho etc. There is no dedicated website or any other digital medium to promote the rural groups.
Chaitan started dancing nine years ago. He has learnt under the guidance of Rama Kanta Sen who is his guru. A resident of Badna village of Mayurbhanj district, he is the member of Rangelweda Chau Nritya Pratishthan. He plays Mulia, Abhimanyu Badh and Kalachakra. He teaches dance to the younger generation. He has performed all over Odisha, Khajuraho and Mumbai.
Dushmanta is the director of Bamanghati Chau Nrutya Dal. He is an actor who writes plays and composes songs. He has performed in Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Konark Dance Festival, Ranchi, Purulia, Chakradharpur and Chennai. He has made a name for himself in chau.
Keshabsen is thirty years old and is dancing for the last fifteen years. A resident of Rangelweda village, he is the member of Rangelweda Chau Nritya Pratishthan. He has showcased his talent all over Odisha, Mumbai, Khajuraho Dance Festival, Delhi and Jharkhand.
Lohit started dancing chau at the age of nine while he was in school. He performs chua items like Mulia, Kalachakra, Gorur Bahan, Dhwaja, Abhimanyu Badh and Makhan Chor. He belongs to Bamanghati Chau Nritya Pratishthan. He has performed in Odisha.
Mayadhar is in the artform for the last fifteen years. He is thirty two years old and performs Dashavatar, Balaram and Dushashan. He has learnt chau dance from Rama Kanta Sen. He is a member of Rangelweda Chau Nrutya Pratishthan. He has performed all over Odisha, Mumbai and Jharkhand. He has won an award from Jharkhand government in 2018.
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This research project, Heritage Sensitive Intellectual Property and Marketing strategies: India (HIPAMS - INDIA), is funded by the British Academy's Sustainable Development Programme, supported under the UK Government's Global Challenges Research Fund 2018-2021.
