Project Chhauni

About Us

Project Chhauni , an Initiative of District Administration Mayurbhanj to Revive the lost glory of Mayurbhanj Chhau, was initiated with an idea of facilitating the artistes of Mayurbhanj chhau with an apt scope of training and subsequent performance leading to a respectable livelihood.

It was launched on 19th May 2016 By Sri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil (Collector and D.M , Mayurbhanj) at Baripda, Mayurbhanj. The Project was prepared by Ms. Subhasree Mukherjee a chhau dancer and resident of Mayurbhanj, who has also worked closely with chhau artiste and organizers in the past.

Mayurbhanj Chhau

The Mayurbhanj District of Odisha is famous for many a things, which gives it a prominent place in the discussion of nature, art and Culture of India. Among those many things Mayurbhanj Chhau is one of the most Unique Art form which has gave Mayurbhanj its worldly identity. As far as the Origin of this style of dance and music is concerned there are many theories, historical anecdotes, some say it has come from the word ‘Chhatak’ or ‘Chhaii’ and some say it has been derived from the word ‘Chhauni’. Whatever may be the origin, Chhau is an excellent medium of art for its vibrant moves and music and the indigenous religious practices attached to it. Through all these years Mayurbhanj Chhau has been through many alleys, some stiff some smooth but its voyage goes on… It continues to attract artiste, art lovers from all over the world who go mesmerized with its inherent vigor.

The Origin of Chhau

Many Scholars down the years have deeply followed the colloquial stories about the origin of Mayurbhanj chhau , and connecting one leading fact to another they have come with some conceivable theories behind the evolution of this dance form. Although these theories are contradictory in themselves, the truth behind Origin of Chhau partially belongs to all these theories.

A group of historians and Scholars imply that Chhau in the past and present has been prevalent in the eastern zone of India, primarily in the Odiya speaking region. The geographical names of these area are Bhanjabhum (now-Mayurbhanj), Singhbhum (now-Sareikela) and Manabhu (now –Purulia). They further mention that in the past all these area were under the rule of the Gajapati Kings of Odisha. Some of the regions were directly ruled by them and some were managed and controlled by their feudatory Chiefs. These feudatory Chiefs were the Maharajas of Mayurbhanj , Sareikela and the Rajas of Dhalbhum, Manabhum and Kharasuan. Perhaps for this reason the cultural practices of these places are identical in nature.

In the early years of its evolvement chhau was purely martial, but when it attracted the Royal Families, the travelers to this regions it started getting characters. Mythological stories, became the main subject around which it was choreographed. Similarly, the martial music started incorporating folk songs of Jhumar, and the excerpts from Hindustani classical music and Odissi music.

The Mayurbhanj Chhau dance grew and developed with the Royal patronage of the rulers of the earstwhile Mayurbhanj State. It reached its pinnacle due to the proper financial assistance and personal involvement of the members of the Royal Family.

In the past years the dance has witnessed many changes. Foreign Artistes have embraced it with complete dedication and also artistes from other dance forms have experimented with chhau in their contemporary creations.