Mayurbhanj Chhau: The combatant's dance

Mayurbhanj Chhau can be defined as a perfect combination of resilience and grace. Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon

Originating from a genre of Indian tribal dance form, Chhau has, through generations, derived its way from traditions based in the Indian state of Orissa. The prevalence of martial arts infused into this particular art form rates a strong mention in its nature and its historical and mythological criteria. Mayurbhanj Chhau, one of the three Chhau forms - Seraikela and Purulai are the other two -- has a different ambience to it. Unlike the other two forms, where masks are used as a way of enhancing the dance form, Mayurbhanj uses none. And the exhilarating opportunity to train in this dance form was offered last week by Shadhona - A Centre of Advancement of South Asian Culture. Eighteen dancers took part in the workshop.

Running from June 17-23, Rakhesh Sai Babu and Maitreyee Paharaj -- both residents of Delhi -- conducted a weeklong workshop on Mayurbhanj Chhau for dancers seeking to learn this form. Rakhesh Sai Babu, a professional Mayurbhanj dancer originally from Orissa, equipped the workshop participants in unleashing the 'warrior within' through dance. The use of swords and shields in combat, with a few martial arts moves thrown in, was all coherently infused with modern dance techniques, stylised gaits of birds and animals, and also movements based on the chores of village housewives. All present in one dance form that robs your senses with extravagance.

Being one of the dancers participating in the workshop, the adrenaline flowing with every effort to execute the complex and mesmerising body techniques, impelled me to acknowledge and learn more of this combative dance form.

Rakhesh Sai Babu's word of advice to young dancers anywhere goes along the lines: “You don't ever know when you'll become a professional. Devote yourself to learning”. He also described his stay at Bangladesh as lovely and told the dancers that the workshop here had been very close to his heart though he has conducted workshops all over the world.

Maitreyee Paharaj, Director at Lok Chhanda Cultural Unit (Delhi) made the week-long journey more inspiring with her words empowering and strengthening all the eager dancers.

A dance form that embeds into your senses with its staggering gestures and combative restrain, Mayurbhanj Chhau can be defined as a perfect combination of resilience and grace. The workshop has been an astoundingly successful one, and engraved itself deep into the heart of dancers at Shadhona.

The presentation of a few choreographed creations was held at Shadhona's Studio to mark the closing of the weeklong, triumphant workshop. This was followed by distribution of certificates, in attendance of Lubna Marium, artistic director of Shadhona.

The writer is a member of Shadhona, and a participant of the recently-held Mayurbhanj Chhau workshop.