Consider the following paragraph : With origins shrouded in mystery, the dancers of this classical form of dance of India communicate inner emotions and themes through cadences of body flexions, movements and kinetic suggestions. Three styles of this form of dance exist, originating from the three different regions of Seraikela (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal), and Mayurbhanj (Orissa). Martial movements, strong rhythmic statements and dynamic use of space are characteristic of this, dance form. The dance is an excellent culmination of enormous vitality and virility. As it is difficult to dance for long with a mask, the dance does not last more than 7—10 minutes. The above paragraph may be attributed to which one of the following dance form ?

The paragraph describes Chhau, a classical dance form from Eastern India. It is characterized by three distinct regional styles: Seraikela (Jharkhand/Bihar), Purulia (West Bengal), and Mayurbhanj (Odisha) [t3][t7]. The dance is noted for its martial origins, specifically the 'pharikanda' tradition involving shields and swords, which translates into strong rhythmic statements and dynamic use of space [t3][t4]. A defining feature of the Seraikela and Purulia styles is the use of elaborate masks, which limits performance duration to approximately 7–10 minutes due to the physical strain of dancing with them [t3][t8]. While Mayurbhanj Chhau does not use masks, the overall tradition is celebrated for its vitality and virility, often enacting episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and local folklore [t6][t7]. Chhau was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010 [t7].

Sources

1. [1] https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/chhau-dance-00337