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Chhau dance is a genre of Indian tribal martial dance which is popular in the Indian states of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. There are three sub-genres of the dance, based on its places of origin and development, Seraikella Chhau, Mayurbhanj Chhau and Purulia Chhau. The Purulia Chhau uses masks and it exhibits the spontaneity of folk art. This dance form is sustained and developed by the people of Purulia district of West Bengal. The masks represent characters from Hindu mythology. These masks are crafted by potters who make clay images of Hindu gods and goddesses and is primarily sourced from Chorida, a village in the Purulia district. Chhau dancers use these masks and perform different mythological events like "Mahisasuramardini" where hindu Goddess Durga kills Mahishasura.
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