Flashy attire, gorgeous masks, constant beatings of drums, forceful gestures of the dancers – this is what you can see in a Purulia Chau dance performance, one of the many folk dances of India. It is colorful and mind boggling form of art that has earned worldwide acclaim over the years. Purulia Chau dance, which used to be performed by the people of Purulia during Sun festival in the month of Chaitra of Hindu calender, is now to be seen during other festivals in different periods of the year.

Purulia Chau dance has its roots in the Chau dance performed by the tribal people inhabiting in the Mayurbhanj princely state of Orissa. The tribal population performed Chau in village squares or in temples as part of their celebration and it has been the exclusive style of folk dance of the tribal people for decades. With the passage of time, new ideas and forms were adopted by the artists and gradually three styles of Chau evolved according to the district names where Chau had been practiced. The three divisions of Chau dance are the Seraikella Chau, Purulia Chau, and the Mayurbhanj Chau, each having distinct features of its own.

Purulia Chau of Bengal is marked by stylized masks and flashy dresses that the dancers wear during the performance. Accompanied by drums and other stringed instruments like sarangi, the Purulia Chau dancers make forceful gestures as they enact the vigorous gait of animals or the characters from epics.

The colorful Chau dancers have mesmerised millions of art lovers through out the world. Have you watched it ? If not, then browse the photo gallery of Picturesindia to see the colorful images of Chau dance till you watch the live performance.