History & Cultural Context
Chhau is a semi-classical masked dance-drama from eastern India, practiced in three distinct regional styles: Seraikella (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal), and Mayurbhanj (Odisha). The form combines martial arts, acrobatics, and theatrical storytelling to depict episodes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranic legends, performed in open-air arenas during the spring festival of Chaitra Parva.
The Seraikella and Purulia styles use elaborate masks — some weighing several kilograms — that transform dancers into gods, demons, animals, and birds, while Mayurbhanj Chhau is performed without masks. All three styles share a foundation in martial movement vocabulary, with vigorous leaps, spins, and combat sequences that demand extraordinary athleticism. The dance is accompanied by the mohuri (a double-reed instrument), shehnai, dhumsa (large drum), and dhol, creating a powerful sonic backdrop. UNESCO inscribed Chhau dance on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
Chhau Music & Tempo
Drawn from 15 Chhau tracks in the LODance music library.
Example tracks at practice tempo
- Seraikella Chhau Dance — Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey
- Dhumal / Daharua / Akhara / Bandana — Lalit Mahato; Chhau and Nagpuri Group
- Mayurbhanj Chhau — Centre for Cultural Resources and Training
- Masked Dance of Purulia (Chhau) — Kalebar Kumar Group
- Madala of Mayurbhanj Chhau being played — Student of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya
- Seraikella Chhau — Centre for Cultural Resources and Training
Chhau on screen
Films and television where Chhau appears, with the sequences worth watching for.
What to Wear
Attire guidance for Chhau and other Global South Asian Classical & Folk dances. Each card below is sized to the moment — class, practice, social, or competition — because the wardrobe shifts as the stakes do.
Reading the cards
In Class
Traditional practice wear varies by form: Bharatanatyam uses a specific practice sari or churidar; Kathak uses a long flowing skirt (ghagra) or churidar for spins.
Social Dancing
Traditional attire appropriate to the dance form and event. Formal performances and cultural events expect full traditional dress.
Competition
Full traditional costume specific to the dance form — often highly ornamented with jewelry, bells (ghungroo for Kathak), and culturally significant accessories.
Shoes
Most Indian classical forms are danced barefoot. Ghungroo (ankle bells) worn in Kathak and some other forms. Bare feet connect the dancer to the earth and allow complex footwork.
In Practice
Practice ghungroo bells are acquired early in Kathak and Bharatanatyam training; quality bells affect rhythm legibility and are not optional gear.
Price Range
- Budget: Practice churidar $30–80; entry-level ghungroo $40–100.
- Mid: Performance saris and traditional costumes $200–800; quality ghungroo $150–400.
- Premium: Bespoke performance costumes with hand embroidery $1,000–5,000+; master-crafted ghungroo $500–1,500.
Key Terms
- Ghungroo
- Strings of small metallic bells tied around the ankles in Kathak and several other Indian classical forms — they articulate footwork rhythmically.
- Churidar
- Tight-fitting trouser worn for practice in many North Indian classical forms; gathers at the ankle.
Quick Tips
- •Suede-soled shoes allow controlled sliding and pivoting — essential for most partner dances.
- •Avoid rubber soles on dance floors; they grip too much and can cause knee injuries.
- •Bring a separate pair of clean shoes for the dance floor to keep it in good condition.
Sources & Further Reading
Cultural & Historical Context
Chhau emerged from India (Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand) during the 1750s—present day. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.
Primary Source Documents
The Library of Dance contains public-domain primary sources for dance history. Copyrighted modern syllabi are indexed with purchase links to their respective copyright owners. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.
Last reviewed: August 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.
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Global South Asian Classical & Folk in art
Browse the gallery →Works from the wider Global South Asian Classical & Folk tradition — we have not yet identified enough that depict Chhau specifically.
Anonymous - Krishna Revels with the Gopis, Page from a Dispersed Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherds) - 2003.165 - Metropolitan Museum of Art
anonymous · 1630
Depiction of Khamba-Thoibi Jagoi (ancient Meitei classical dance of Khamba & Thoibi) - in "Saratki Echel" - Modern Meitei language monthly magazine - in Bengali script - published by "Marup, Manipur"
Original author : Unknown · 1976
Illustration of Khamba-Thoibi Jagoi (ancient Meitei classical dance of Khuman Royal Scion Khamba & Moirang Princess Thoibi) - Cultural heritage of ancient Keke Moilang (Kege Moirang) Kingdom of early
Original author : Unknown · 1976
Temple Dancer
Unknown
Lady Dancing and Playing Castanets
Unknown
A nautch dancing girl. Gouache drawing.
Unknown artist
Bharatanatyam Dance DVD
Swathi Group.
[PICTURES] JHIJHIYA | Folk Dance Of Mithila (Ghar Ghar K Lokgeet)
rohini
Celestial Dancers folio 5 recto from Brahman Rishabhadat
Unknown artist
Dancing Apsaras
Unknown artist
Dancing Ganesha
Unknown artist
Grotesque Dancers Performing
Unknown artist
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