Chhau

Popular Chhau dance of Jharkhand has a unique identity. UNESCO included this form of dance in Heritage Dances in year 2010. This is a male dominated dance which is performed with mask or without mask. To attack or to hunt secretly is also a description of this dance. Chhau dance, originating from Jharkhand is now integrated in the cultures of Odisha and West Bengal. This dance has become a part of the cultures of these three states. There are four varieties of this dance - Saraikela Chhau (Jharkhand), Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha), Purulia Chhau (W. Bengal) and Singua Chhau of Khunti district of Jharkhand. According to Tapan Kumar Patnaik Director-Guru of Chhau Dance Centre, real origin of Chhau dance is Saraikela district of Jharkhand.