Themes of Chau dance are mainly based on epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata and Hindu Puranas. Mahishasur Mardini remains an all-time favourite play for Chau dancers. Themes were also sourced from mythological stories like Narasimha Avatar, Sabitri Satyaban, Shivapurana, Hiranyakashipu and Sri Krishna. Nowadays plays are also composed on historical and contemporary themes.