Ranchi, Jan. 7: Chhau, it seems, is winning hearts wherever it goes.

After entertaining crowds in Japan in 2007, Ireland and France will be the next venue to witness a 12-member team of dancers perform the Chhau ballet to depict social issues as part of the cultural exchange programme.

Dancers will be showcasing various types of Chhau dance such as the Seraikela Chhau, Mayurbhanj Chhau, Manbhoom Chhau and Singua Chhau. The artistes are preparing the costumes and the mask for the performance, for which they will carry their tribal instruments.

The tour will mainly be conducted by the Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, and Rajkiye Chhau Nritya Kala Kendra, Seraikela, in association with the state art and cultural department.

Chhau Academy in Seraikela, a pioneer in grooming students in the dance form, is busy making preparations to showcase the dance.

“We are waiting for a confirmation from ICCR and the state art and culture department,” said Tapan Kumar Patnaik, the director of Chhau Academy. Relating last year’s experience, Patnaik said that last year they had visited Japan to showcase the dance which was an instant hit with the people. In fact there was an Irish student, who after learning Chhau, is doing research on it, he said.

“The academy is also in contact with Irish students who will be helping us to decide on the venue and the total expenditure incurred in the programme,” Patnaik said.

Thereafter, they will be submitting the budget to the state art and culture department. Patnaik said they would also display traditional masks designed by the institute’s students during the tour.

Prior to the visit to Ireland and France, the students will also perform a Chhau ballet during the Chhau Mahotsav in April.

Harendra Prasad Sinha, the assistant director, state art and culture department, said that ICCR from time to time sends performers to different parts of the country. “Our work is to promote this art for which the department is spending Rs 7-8 lakhs per year,” Sinha said, adding that every year, students from various parts of India and abroad visit the Seraikela academy to learn the dance.

“They also act as cultural ambassadors to their countries. As a result, the dance form has spread overseas too,” Sinha said.

“So far already 500 students have picked up the finer nuances of the dance while some are doing research in Chhau on a junior fellowship,” added Patnaik.

This year the department is also planning to open another centre for Manbhoom Chhau either at Silli, Bokaro or Dhanbad.