Balarampur, located in Purulia, is renowned as the abode of Chhau dance, inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. The Royal Chhau Academy, run by Chhau artists, serves as a hub for nurturing traditional skills and training aspiring dancers. Maldi is a pivotal destination for experiencing Chhau dance heritage, focusing on training the youth to preserve this traditional art form. Regular classes hosted by esteemed Chhau gurus ensure that the younger generation remains connected to their cultural roots. Nestled in Purulia’s greenery, Maldi remains a hotspot for nurturing young talent.
Balarampur village in Purulia is hosting a Chau Jhumur festival from 18 to 20 October. At Balarampur you can see Chaau dance, in Maldi you can see the Chaau training, and at Paradda village you can see the instrument making process. Join the festival to meet the talented artists, engage in conversations about their cultural heritage, and explore how these villages play crucial role in nurturing and transmitting these art forms from one generation to the next.
Check out more arts and crafts festivals here.
How to Reach Kolkata
1. By Air: The Kolkata international airport, better known as the Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, is located at Dumdum. It connects Kolkata with all the major cities of the country as well as the world.
Discover affordable flights to Kolkata on IndiGo.
2. By Rail: The Howrah and Sealdah railway stations are the two major railheads situated in the city. Both these stations are well connected to all the important cities of the country.
3. By Road: The West Bengal state buses and various private buses travel to and from different parts of the country at a reasonable cost. Some places near Kolkata are Sunderbans (112 km), Puri (495 km), Konark (571 km) and Darjeeling (624 km).
Balarampur is 53 km from Jamshedpur, 32 km from Purulia. Balarampur Royal Chhau Academy is at Balarampur town and Maldi is at Urma. Local auto/toto is available.
Nearby railway stations are at Barabhum (18 km), Purulia (32 km)
Source: Goibibo


1. Light and airy cotton clothes
2. A sturdy water bottle, if the festival has refillable water stations, and if the venue allows bottles to be taken inside.
3. Comfortable footwear such as sneakers (a perfect option if it’s not likely to rain).
4. COVID packs: Hand sanitiser, extra masks and a copy of your vaccination certificate are things you should keep handy.


