Masks and costumes of Purulia chhau

Purulia district in West Bengal in eastern India is home to Purulia chhau, one of the three martial-arts-inspired chhau dance genres that incorporate rhythmic movements with extravagant masks and costumes. This exuberant dramatic form is primarily performed by male dancers and has been categorized as an Indian intangible cultural heritage. Based on my primary research in 2014, this report chronicles how masks and costumes are conceived and created, and how dancers and mask makers attempt to reach new and wider audiences through collaboration on innovative works using the form’s innate features.