Experiencing Purulia Chau of West Bengal

Purulia is a district of West Bengal that borders the Chota Nagpur plateau.

It is a land of exotic natural and cultural assets. 

Against the backdrop of its rugged hilly ranges, undulating plains, red soil, juxtaposed with lush green fields, ...

...and rivers cutting across the terrain, ...   

...the Chau dance of Purulia looms as a majestic performing art that equally expresses the vigour and character of the landscape.

Chau dance, an acrobatic tribal mask dance form, is an integral part of the community’s lifestyle and many villages  are traditional habitats of Chau dancers. 

In their words, "we dance when we walk and we sing when we talk".

Chau mask making is a specialized industry of artists residing in Charida, Purulia.

Mahisasura remained undefeated by the boon of Lord Brahma. Angry and irritated with his perversions, the gods approached Bramha, Vishnu, Maheswar for safety and dignity, and a mighty woman was created with all the glory and power of trinity with all their weapons. Adyashakti Mahamaya killed Mahisasura with the  weapons of her ten hands.

King Kartavirya Arjuna was once hunting in a jungle. After an unsuccessful hunt, he spotted the cottage of sage Jamadagni and sought his hospitality. Jamadagni arranged a feast for the king, who was so impressed that he asked the sage how he had made such arrangements in such a short time. 

Jamadagni replied that it was all thanks to Mother Surabhi, the cow-goddess Kamdhenu. On learning this, the king killed Jamadagni and forcibly took away Mother Surabhi. Jamadagni's son, Muni Parashuram, swore that he would rid the earth of all kshatriyas, and proceeded to do so.

Kamkantaka, the only daughter of the asura (demon) king Murha-daitya, was an accomplished warrior and a devotee of the goddess Kamakhya. The goddess, satisfied with her devotion, gifted her an arrow and blessed her that nobody would be able to defeat her in battle.

Eventually Murha-daitya attacked heaven, and the scared gods sought the help of Lord Krishna. Krishna assured the gods and killed Murha-daitya in battle. Kamkantaka, entering the battleground to avenge her father, faced off with Lord Balaram and defeated him, rendering him unconscious, using her goddess-gifted arrow. Krishna then entered into battle with Kamkantaka, and as he was about to kill her, Kamakhya appeared in the field of battle to intervene and negotiated a ceasefire.

Dance of Asura from Mahisasur Badh

Dance of Goddess Lakshmi