A centre for Chhau dance and research would come up shortly at Chandankiyari about 35 kms from the district headquarter of Bokaro.
This research centre (‘Chhau Dance Research Centre’) is being established with the aim to reinstate the lost tradition of the art form and to facilitate the development of new research initiatives that will give a boost to this traditional dance, said Amar Bauri Minister for Revenue, land Reforms, Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs of Jharkhand.
This research centre will cover three eastern States of the country including Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. The Central Government has already given its nod for the establishment of the research centre, said Bauri.
“The most interesting fact is that Chhau Dance is listed on UNESCO’s world heritage list of dances. We hope this will start functioning by 2019,” he added.
Chhau dance is a semi-classical Indian dance with martial, tribal and folk origins in the eastern Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal. It is found in three styles named after the location where they are performed includes Purulia Chau of Bengal, the Seraikella Chau of Jharkhand, and the Mayurbhanj Chau of Odisha, informed Anand Mahato an artist and a resident of Chandaha village at Chandankiyari.
“This is a bold and exciting initiative of the government that will open up new perspectives on this traditional folk dance and its place in our culture.”
“It’s a very good move of the government which will help in to revive the lost roots of Chhau as well as in codifying the Chhau dance forms,” he added.