A Chhau dancer in a big painted mask leaps into the air

Episode 6 of 7 · Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal

Chhau: Masks, Leaps and Somersaults

1 min read
Ages 3–8
6 pages
Free

Masked warriors who leap and spin to tell stories from the epics.

Read the story Make a book

Chhau is a dance from the east of India. It mixes dancing with martial arts.
There are three styles: Purulia in West Bengal, Seraikela in Jharkhand and Mayurbhanj in Odisha.
In Purulia and Seraikela, the dancers wear large painted masks. In Mayurbhanj, the dancers show their own faces.
They leap, spin and somersault to tell stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Drums and the shehnai, a reed pipe, play the music.
Chhau is often performed at spring festivals. UNESCO added it to its list of living heritage in 2010.

The big ideaStrength and grace can go together.

Talk about it: Can you show a brave jump and then a gentle landing?

Learn more

Facts, a quiz and words to know

Did you know?

UNESCO added Chhau dance to its list of living heritage in 2010.
The three styles are Purulia, Seraikela and Mayurbhanj.
In Mayurbhanj Chhau, the dancers do not wear masks.
The shehnai is a reed pipe.

Quick quiz

1How many styles of Chhau are there?
1. Three
2. Seven
3. Eight
Show the answer
A. Three. Purulia, Seraikela and Mayurbhanj.
2Which style has no mask?
1. Mayurbhanj
2. Purulia
3. Seraikela
Show the answer
A. Mayurbhanj. In Mayurbhanj the dancers show their faces.
3What does Chhau mix with dance?
1. Martial arts
2. Painting
3. Cooking
Show the answer
A. Martial arts. Leaps and strikes from martial arts.

Words to know

Chhau: A dance mixing dance and martial arts
Mask: A face covering worn by a dancer
Shehnai: A reed pipe
Somersault: A roll with the feet over the head

Think and do

Talk about it. When do we need to be both strong and gentle?

Try it. Take a big brave jump, then land softly like a cat.

Remember: Strength with kindness.

Up next

Written for children from well-known public sources, including UNESCO’s lists of living heritage. Every region has many more folk dances than these seven, and each dance is danced a little differently in different places.