Mayurbhanj Chhau
Glorious Folk art tradition of odisha
In the back drop of lofty similipal National Forest with gorgeous waterfalls, winding rivers, huge summits and lush green valleys, the district of Mayurbhanj unfolds a vast panorama of nature's beauty. Amids the surroundings, evolved a beautiful yet virile dance form, known as famous CHHAU DANCE .
The fame of Mayurbhanj Chhau has crossed geographical limitations and has claimed world wide acclaim for its beauty, vigour and marvel of the art.
Of the three styles of Chhau, Mayurbhanj Chhau prevalent in odisha is the only one without any mask. The dance which got structured and flourished under the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj for over a century, was first publicly presented in Calcutta 1911 during the Emperors visit and drew universal appreciation, is another example of continuing folk performing tradition further enlivened irrespective of ups and downs under the passage of time.
Elements of folk, tribal, martial, traditional, classical art have been woven in to the grand mosaic of Mayurbhanj Chhau. This group dance is always spectacular, vigorous and characterized by rhythmic fury rising to a crescendo at the end. Various aspects of their idioms,vocabulary, repertoire, gesture thematic and aesthetic qualities, the musical accompaniment- notes, explains its diversity of form, that of being martial in character (overriding emphasis on foot work) to
Non-martial and non-war like themes. Thematically, Chhau draws substantially from great epics like the Ramayan the Mahabharat,legends relating to Lord Krishna and also from folk and tribal elements. The music accompanying the dance has its own style which envigorates the soul.The orchestra is generally composed of "Mohuri",chad-chadi","Dhol ","Dhumsa" etc. and some time accompanied by lilting vocal music.
The grammar of Mayurbhanj Chhau comprises six chali-s or Topka-s (basic steps)and 36 ufi-s
(Jumping locomotions) relating six ufi-s to each topka-s in the manner of relationships between raga-s and ragini-s. These chalis a and uflis are are named from rural house hold activities, behaviour of animals, and birds and war actions. The lyrics are largely derived from the Jhoomer and local folk songs.
They have close resemblance to Bengali, Bhojpuri, colloquial Odiya and hindi. The Mayurbhanj repertoire treasures the highest number of dance items about 200 in number which is rarely found in any other dance forms of the world. Some of them are lost in oblivion with the passage of time. The solo items are Dandi,Mahadev,sabar Toka,Nataraj and Jambeb etc. The famous group items are Kirat Arjun, Mayasabari, Tamudia Krishna, Matrupuja,Kelakeluni,Dhajatal,Bainshi Chori,Kailash Leèla etc.
The Chhau Dance traditionally as also to day is part of the Caitra Parva,which falls in the second week of April has the twin aspects of spring's delicate wistfulness and vibrant energy of coming summer- a tradition celebrated both by non-tribal Hindus and santals with strong observance of rituals for a month. It is also known as the Uda Parba as
Followed by santals.
Mayurbhanj Chhau is a composite of various elements. The vigorous and fury of movement
Indicates to the dynamism of santalis and Munda tribal dances. There is also relationship to shiva worship, to the concept of
Tandava Dance and to Bhakta rituals. In this dance form grace is related to vigour & emotion to energy. Chhau an ancident dance form follows the basic principles of Natya Sastra of Bharat Muni and Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikeswara. They practice difficult modes of walk-in, striking difficult posture &movements. Rmotion and passions are not depicated by facial expression but by intricate foot work, whirls & jumps.The waist, feet & the legs are used to depict Bhavas.
Glorious Folk art tradition of odisha
In the back drop of lofty similipal National Forest with gorgeous waterfalls, winding rivers, huge summits and lush green valleys, the district of Mayurbhanj unfolds a vast panorama of nature's beauty. Amids the surroundings, evolved a beautiful yet virile dance form, known as famous CHHAU DANCE .
The fame of Mayurbhanj Chhau has crossed geographical limitations and has claimed world wide acclaim for its beauty, vigour and marvel of the art.
Of the three styles of Chhau, Mayurbhanj Chhau prevalent in odisha is the only one without any mask. The dance which got structured and flourished under the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj for over a century, was first publicly presented in Calcutta 1911 during the Emperors visit and drew universal appreciation, is another example of continuing folk performing tradition further enlivened irrespective of ups and downs under the passage of time.
Elements of folk, tribal, martial, traditional, classical art have been woven in to the grand mosaic of Mayurbhanj Chhau. This group dance is always spectacular, vigorous and characterized by rhythmic fury rising to a crescendo at the end. Various aspects of their idioms,vocabulary, repertoire, gesture thematic and aesthetic qualities, the musical accompaniment- notes, explains its diversity of form, that of being martial in character (overriding emphasis on foot work) to
Non-martial and non-war like themes. Thematically, Chhau draws substantially from great epics like the Ramayan the Mahabharat,legends relating to Lord Krishna and also from folk and tribal elements. The music accompanying the dance has its own style which envigorates the soul.The orchestra is generally composed of "Mohuri",chad-chadi","Dhol ","Dhumsa" etc. and some time accompanied by lilting vocal music.
The grammar of Mayurbhanj Chhau comprises six chali-s or Topka-s (basic steps)and 36 ufi-s
(Jumping locomotions) relating six ufi-s to each topka-s in the manner of relationships between raga-s and ragini-s. These chalis a and uflis are are named from rural house hold activities, behaviour of animals, and birds and war actions. The lyrics are largely derived from the Jhoomer and local folk songs.
They have close resemblance to Bengali, Bhojpuri, colloquial Odiya and hindi. The Mayurbhanj repertoire treasures the highest number of dance items about 200 in number which is rarely found in any other dance forms of the world. Some of them are lost in oblivion with the passage of time. The solo items are Dandi,Mahadev,sabar Toka,Nataraj and Jambeb etc. The famous group items are Kirat Arjun, Mayasabari, Tamudia Krishna, Matrupuja,Kelakeluni,Dhajatal,Bainshi Chori,Kailash Leèla etc.
The Chhau Dance traditionally as also to day is part of the Caitra Parva,which falls in the second week of April has the twin aspects of spring's delicate wistfulness and vibrant energy of coming summer- a tradition celebrated both by non-tribal Hindus and santals with strong observance of rituals for a month. It is also known as the Uda Parba as
Followed by santals.
Mayurbhanj Chhau is a composite of various elements. The vigorous and fury of movement
Indicates to the dynamism of santalis and Munda tribal dances. There is also relationship to shiva worship, to the concept of
Tandava Dance and to Bhakta rituals. In this dance form grace is related to vigour & emotion to energy. Chhau an ancident dance form follows the basic principles of Natya Sastra of Bharat Muni and Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikeswara. They practice difficult modes of walk-in, striking difficult posture &movements. Rmotion and passions are not depicated by facial expression but by intricate foot work, whirls & jumps.The waist, feet & the legs are used to depict Bhavas.
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