Performing Gender

Abstract The paper intends to look at the prevalent discourses in Chhau dance of Purulia to locate the issues of gender in a dance traditionally considered masculine. The dance is characterized by its drawing of thematic resources from the mythical tradition of Hindu religion and the usage of elaborate and decorative masks to represent particular characters. Purulia Chhau is traditionally performed by male-dancers and as a result, representation of female characters is carried out through female impersonation and semiotic negotiation of costumes, makeup, and particular usage of masks. The prevailing masculinist sentiment is bolstered by the propagation of acrobacy and vigorousness as the sole ‘essence’ of the dance. Such a discursive trajectory mantles the so-called ‘feminine’ aspect of the dance: the display of pathos, delicacy in movement and the existence of non-heroic performances. The paper, while exploring the ‘femininity’ of the dance, will delve into a critical engagement of gender, femininity, and female impersonation in the context of Indian performative traditions and the construction of Indian womanhood within a nationalist rhetoric. Moreover, while trying to locate Purulia Chhau within the aforementioned discussion, the present study will also address the moments of critical departure by which several performances of Purulia Chhau problematize the universal assumptions and discourses of gender and performance. Finally, the study will also discuss how the recent introduction of female performers in Purulia Chhau poses a critique to the ‘authentic’ narrative of the dance form nourished by masculine perspectives. The paper will rely on ethnography as a method for this study and thus will incline towards firsthand knowledge gained through fieldwork and interviews of Purulia Chhau artists.