| Chhou Naach (Chhou Dance):There are very little | | | | based on "Mahabharat" and "Ramayan". This |
| documentations available on traditional art, craft and | | | | mythological touch in Chhou dance makes it very |
| culture of tribal of Jharkhand, India. This article | | | | spiritual and respectful. The characters of Chhou |
| provides an overview of one of the most exciting | | | | dance wear traditions ornaments and dance with |
| tribal dance "Chhou Naach" which is yet to be | | | | weapons. Their cloths |
| explored completely. However, state government of | | | | are very colourful. Chhou dance should NOT be |
| Jharkhand, India organizes various cultural events in | | | | misunderstood with other folk dances of India like |
| the state but Chhou dance is very rarely done. This | | | | Kuchipudi etc. Chhou dance involves lots of gymnastic |
| is not because people performing Chhou dance are | | | | actions in the dance sequences and most of the |
| conservative, but because of lack of knowledge or | | | | characters are very aggressive in nature. This dance |
| lack of promotion of this traditional dance form. This | | | | drama is supported by traditions nagada(Drums) and |
| article is a little effort for the promotion of Traditional | | | | flute as background sound and rhythm of dance |
| Tribal Culture.Locality:Chhou dance is found in the | | | | action varies with the modulations of drum beats. |
| tribal areas of Jharkhand and some parts of | | | | The audience enjoying Chhou Naach feels increase in |
| Chattisgarh and Orissa states of India. There are no | | | | their heart beats.Unlike other tribal dances, direct |
| specific evidences available which describe the actual | | | | contribution from women in Chhou dance is not |
| history behind Chhou dance. Hence, it is assumed that | | | | visible. This also makes Chhou dance different from |
| Chhou dance is one of the advanced dance form of | | | | other folk dances of tribes.For more literature and |
| traditional tribal dance which has developed gradually | | | | pictures on "Chhou Naach" please subscribe for the |
| during the course of interactions with other | | | | free newsletters on This source of this article |
| neighboring cultures.Introduction:"Chhou Naach" is a | | | | "Unexplored Tribal Dance" is |
| dance mostly done in open field and in the night. The | | | | a website dedicated to promote "Rare and Offbeat |
| dance arena is generally surrounded by fire poles | | | | Artworks" all over the world. For more information |
| called mashaal for lighting purpose. However, due to | | | | and pictorial on Chhou Dance, please visit " welcomes |
| the urbanization in some parts, fire poles have been | | | | articles on Chhou dance from other readers and |
| replaced by electrical lights. The artists go for a bath | | | | writers to enrich the documentation.This article is |
| and puja before performing this dance as the | | | | written by Mr. Shandilya Ajay Singh, a |
| characters they play are of gods. The Chhou dancers | | | | freelance writer from India who writes as his hobby. |
| use big size colourful decorative masks. These masks | | | | The writer belongs to Jharkhand, India and spent |
| are made of paper mache', light wood and paper. | | | | more than 21 years in the woods and valley of |
| Chhou naach is a tribal form of "nritya natika" (Dance | | | | Jharkhand. The writer may be directly contacted on |
| Drama) where various characters with Chhou masks | | | | shandilya_a[a]yahoo. |
| play mythological characters. Most of these plays are | | | | |