পুরুলিয়ার ছৌ নাচ : একটি সামাজিক-সাংস্কৃতিক ও শিক্ষাগত বিশ্লেষণ/ Purulia Chhau Dance : A Socio-Cultural and Educational Analysis

Abstract

The Chhau dance of Purulia stands as a vibrant and dynamic reflection of the culture and traditions of the Rarh region of West Bengal. It is not merely a form of folk dance; rather, it represents a profound artistic expression of the folk life and collective psyche of the region. The primary objective of this research paper is to examine the structural characteristics of Chhau dance, its artistic construction, and the educational significance embedded within it from sociological and anthropological perspectives. Particular emphasis has been placed on the role of Chhau dance in promoting informal education beyond the framework of formal schooling, especially in rural areas. The study critically explores how this dance tradition, through its synthesis of mythological narratives and symbolic representation, contributes to the development of moral values, historical consciousness, and cultural responsibility. In addition, the research incorporates an analysis of the socio-economic conditions of the mask artisans of Charida village, along with the contemporary challenges faced by this traditional art form. Based on qualitative research methods, including field-level observations and interviews with artists from Purulia, the study concludes that integrating such elements of folk culture into modern educational systems can significantly enhance students’ life practices, behavioral patterns, cultural continuity, artistic skills and techniques, as well as their capacity for creative production. Ultimately, such integration can accelerate their overall holistic human development.