Mumbai, the City of Dreams, is gearing up for a spectacular cultural event featuring Purulia Chhau, the vibrant high-energy martial art form from West Bengal.
Chhau Porbo-2 is scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Ravindra Natya Mandir, from 7:00 pm onwards. Chhau Porbo is a traditional festival that features the Chhau dance and this event will be presented by VIBGYOR, a group dedicated to documenting folk traditions and cultural performances. The festival promises a compelling showcase of heritage through storytelling and artistry.
The dramatic and athletic performance features two profound mythological acts:
Act 1: Mumbai can witness the raw power and emotion of the epic abduction sequence, Sita Haran, brought to life through the dynamic Chhau style. The performance is expected to last for 40 minutes.
Act 2: Krishna's Deha Tyag, is a poignant and philosophical finale, exploring the final moments and ascension of Lord Krishna. The performance will be around 40 minutes.
Parallelly, there will be the official on-stage launch of the VIBGYOR Calendar 2026: Chhau in Mumbai Daily.
This calendar fuses the vibrant Chhau art with the spirit of the city. This will be held at the same venue, within the 30-minute break between the two acts.
About Chhau dance
Chhau is a traditional dance which originates from the tribal regions of Eastern India. This vibrant art form, with its roots in the Purulia district of West Bengal, is set to enthrall the people of Mumbai during the upcoming Chhau Porbo festival. Known for its energy, elaborate masks, and storytelling, the Chhau dance has become an important cultural symbol of Eastern India.
Indrani Mukherjee: The man behind this cultural festival
What sets Chhau apart from other traditional dance forms is its unique combination of high energy, graceful movements, and dramatic expressions. UNESCO recognised Chhau as a campaign to preserve the living legacy. Indrani Mukherjee, the man behind VIBGYOR, says, "This is an opportunity for Mumbai's discerning audience to witness the purest form of Chhau, performed by masters who live and breathe this art."
He adds, "The vibrant masks, the acrobatic choreography, the powerful live music — it all comes together in an explosion of cultural brilliance. We are bringing the soul of Purulia right here to the city."
The dancers use their entire bodies to convey emotions, from fierce battle scenes to softer, more divine moments. The dance is accompanied by live music, typically featuring drums, cymbals, and traditional wind instruments, creating a rhythm that amplifies the performance's intensity.
Chhau Porbo 2025 | VIBGYOR
Chhau Porbo 2025
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, Dadar, Mumbai
Tickets & Information: Available at www.infovibgyor.com/cp2
What activities will the Chhau Porbo festival include?
The Chhau Porbo festival, set to take place in Mumbai, is a special event that aims at introducing the rich cultural heritage of Purulia Chhau to a broader audience. The festival will feature performances by skilled Chhau dancers from Purulia, providing Mumbaikars with an opportunity to experience this captivating art form firsthand. Attendees can expect dramatic and athletic performances based on Indian mythology, including the story of Sita Haran and the epic tale of Krishna's Deha Tyag.
