Accessories and instruments used in Chhau

Mask: Masks are undoubtedly the main accessories used in Chhau. These masks are not only famous as an accessory to the performance, but has also evolved as an individual industry. The purulia chhau masks are unique in style and the technique used in making it is also highly artistic.

Dhol: Dhol is a barrel shaped instrument, which is usually suspended from the player’s neck by a rope. The right side played with palm and fingers and the left side is played with a stick.

Dhamsa: Dhamsa is a large bowl shaped instrument. The flat area of the instrument is covered with leather, which is played with two sticks. This instrument is usually 3-5 ft. long.

Charchari: Charchari is a small instrument which is played with two thin sticks. It is also suspended from the player’s neck and kept vertically.

Nagada: Nagada looks almost like Dhamsa, but it produces high pitched sharp sound.

Mahori: Mahori is a local instrument. It is played by mouth. In some aspects it falls in the same category as Sanai.

Sanai or sehnai: Sanai is one of the most popular instruments in the country. It is played by mouth. The Sanai used in chhau is completely different from the Sanai used in classical music.

Bansi or flute: Flute is another popular instrument of India. This is a thin pipe shaped instrument made of bamboo stick. It is also played by the co-ordination of mouth and fingers.

Apart from these instruments, harmonium, kartaal, ghanta etc. are also used.

Sub genres of Chhau

There are three different forms of Chhau dance. They are Purulia Chhau, Seraikella Chhau and Mayurbhanj Chhau. However, they are different in some manner, but there’s no doubt that all three of them have the same inspiration.

If we look at the geographical relation among the dance forms, we’ll find that they have originated from the same region. Till the year 1912, Bihar and Odisha were part of Bengal Presidency. In May, 1948, Seraikella gets separated from Odisha. Before that, Mayurbhanj and Seraikella were the part of Odisha’s Singbhum district.

Purulia was a part of Bihar’s Manbhum district. Later, on 1 November, 1956,  it became a district in West Bengal.

Purulia, Seraikella and Mayurbhanj, all three forms of Chhau have martial element. However, some distinctions are noticeable when they are analysed thoroughly. Purulia chhau is all about war which reminds us of tribal fights in the historic age. On the other hand Mayurbhanj and Seraikella Chhau are more of a training exercise.

The use of masks also tells us that Purulia Chhau is the oldest among the three. The masks used in Purulia chhau are large and simple and has a helmet on it. Masks used in Seraikella Chhau, on the other hand, are much more expressive, have work of paint brush on them and they don’t have helmet on them.

Purulia Chhau showcases Vira Rasa, where Seraikella chhau Showcases Madhu Rasa. Purulia Chhau performances are usually long (30-40 minutes), where the Seraikella Chhau performances are short (8-10 minutes). Mayurbhanj chhau is neither long, nor short. The storyline in Mayurbhanj chhau gets more priority. The impact of old epics is noticeable, but they are not orthodox as in Purulia chhau.

The staging system in Purulia chhau also tells us that it is an ancient dance form. In an open space, under the sky, the stage is set. It is called “Nachshaal”. Except the one way, from where the artists enter, the audience sits around the stage. They don’t even have a green room.

But in Seraikella and Mayurbhanj chhau 2/3 feet stage is set. A green room is made behind the stage with curtains. The audience sit on the other three sides of the stage.

What does "Chhau" mean?

According to Dr. Sudir Karan, “in local tongue, the meaning of the word chhau is clown. However, there is no such word as ‘chhau’ in Odhiya. The word “chhutto” which means deceit in Odhiya, is pronounced as “Chhau” in few regions of Bengal close to Odisha.

In the context of Mayurbhanj Chhau, it is believed that the word ‘Chhau’ has been derived from the word “Chhavni” which means military cantonment. In feudal system, the dances performed at the cantonments have some elements in common with the dance form of Chhau.

Image Source: mid-day

Some people believe that in Seraikella, the word chhau has come from the word “chhaya” which means shadow. Most of the chhau artists support that belief.

In search of the real meaning of the word ‘Chhau’ it is found that in Purulia, it means clown. In some parts of Midnapur, it means having fun. So, an inference can be drawn that in Bengal, the meaning clown has gotten an emphasis.

Image Source: Lonely Planet

As Seraikella dance form is very delightful and elegant in nature, the meaning of the word Chhau is considered as shadow by the local people, as this meaning carries the essence of romanticism which is an important characteristic of this dance form.

Image Source: The Hindu

On the other hand, Mayurbhanj dance form has the elemet of martial arts in it. This is why, in Maayurbhanj, the meaning of Chhau is interpreted as military cantonment.

According to Dr. Ashutosh Bhattacharyya, an expert on folk culture, “I believe that the word has been derived from the Sanskrit word sang (the word is a late Sanskrit) meaning one who dresses himself to represent another character mostly clown. The use of masks to transfer one’s identity to another character is a special feature of the chhau dance.”