The characteristics of Chhau


Chhau dance as it in vogue in the contiguous areas of the three States of Eastern India-West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, has a basic character of its own, and if we analysis its basic qualities we are convinced that it represents essentially the characteristics originating from West Bengal.
After its beginning and development in Purulia district in West Bengal, it was patronized by almost all the feudal chiefs of the entire Purulia, Ranchi and singbhum district. An individual patron developed the dance according to his own resources and imagination without injuring in any way its basic character. The member of the family of maharaja of Seraikella adopted the practice themselves. Each and every performance begins with a vocal invocation to ganesha. This is the only ritual part of the performance of Chhau that has been discarded both in mayurbhanj and in Seraikella.
The heroic element or the Tandava character of the Chhau dance is also a striking feature. Another characteristic of the dance is Khilan mukhos or replacement of masks. The mask of Lord Krishna is replaced by the mask of Kali in full view of the audience within the scene itself.

The Chhau dance technique is based upon 108 postures and movements. Their gaits leap and Jumps, spiral movements, pad chakra, all have a distinct classical tradition. Chhau dance has taken its shape from hand gestures and footsteps as depicted in the 'Natyashastra' o Acharya Bharat.

'Aharyabhinaya' is an important part of the Chhau dance. The typical musical instruments and their techniques 'Tal-Chhanda-laya' have given the Chhau dance a different measure.
There is combination of three units: 'Natya', 'Nritya' and 'Nritta' as narrated by Bharata by holding the mask on head, acting of other characters is important. The stories and themes with manifold sentiments are expressed by body movements. The existence of vocal tradition of dance from Guru to disciple is unwritten. The Chhau dance of Mayurbhanj and Purulia have made the inclusion of folk elements and they created very flexibility in their styles.
The musical sounds of war dance have been moulded in Indian musicology.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chhau dance in the light of publicity,

Image
Today Chhau dance has made itself a remarkable popular dance form. No other folk dance form couldn’t get as much popularity as Chhau in abroad. These three dance styles (Purulia, Mayourbhanj  and Sheraikella) are not only appreciated in our country, but also in foreign countries. Generally speaking, beyond the district, the district crossing the provinces, the provinces cross the country, and the foreign state exceeds the world. Purulia Chhau dance Durga with her family Year Important event 1953 First performed in Rajbhawan in Kolkata. 1954 Chhau dance was performed in “Bango sanskriti sommelon” which was held in Mohammad Ali Park at “deshojo nritya Chhau nach”. 1959 It was performed in evert Youth Festivals. 1962 1965 1968 1978 This dance form performed in Youth Festival in Ranji Stadium. 1969 A Chhau Seminar was held in Bhubaneshwar. Dr. Asutosh Bhattacharjee and o
Read more

Gambhir Sing Mura - The famous Chhau artist

Image
Gambhir Sing Mura was born in village of Baghmundi. The name of the village is Pitidari. In the year of 1930, Mura was born. He was the youngest son of Chhau artist Jipa Sing Mura. Gambhir Singh Mura  was an Indian tribal dancer known for his contributions to the tribal martial dance of Chhau . At the time of the ‘ samanto’ kings, the programme was held in the night. Two programmes were held in every day. The king's anger was over Jipa Sing Mura for his indiscipline nature. He had to left the Chorida village and settled in Pitidari Tola in the village of Bamni. The little Gambhir spent his life in the forest area.  His birth name was Babu Sing Mura . He lost his father in his young age and became economically deprived.   His childhood spent in his uncle’s house till the age of fourteen. In the year of 1943 he returned to his own house at Chorida. He came in the limelight of Chhau in the year of 1946. He had no specific trainer. He learned various Chhau art form by seeing ot
Read more

Chhau dance in Odisa

Image
  I t originated in the mock fights of the Oriya paikas (warriors) who fought rhythmically to the accompaniment of indigenous music instruments The highly Stylised Chhau dance of today follow the basic principle of the Natya Shastra of Bharat Muni and the Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikeswara. This dance form became closely associated with religion. The Chhau dancers worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the two presiding deities of the Tandava and the Lasya styles respectively. The typical Chhau dance pose when the dancer at rest is the bent knee so that the legs form a Square, the raising of the, right hand upward with the left hand handing downward both forming right angles the elbow.The Chhau dancers have to practices difficult modes of walk-in, striking difficult postures and moving in a way peculiar to this style. It is a virile dance form and was in the past undertaken by male dancers who performed in female roles, as and when required.Today there are also female dancers who
Read more