The Folk Art Centre at Maldi, Balarampur, Purulia provides space for the budding Chau artists of adjacent locality to receive regular training from the Chau Gurus.
Another Folk Art Centre is set up at Bamnia, Purulia to preserve the tradition of Chau. With the introduction of the Folk Art Centre, the artists have a venue to engage in their art form at regular basis.
The Chau mask makers also have a Folk Art Centre at their village Charida in Purulia. The local artists collected and exhibited different types of Chau masks at the centre. The story of the mask making community and the process of making masks are also displayed.
workshops
The local young people of Purulia regular come to this Folk Art Centre to learn and practice Chau dance. The veteran Chau dancers Anil Mahato, Jagannath Chowdhury, Biren Kalindi and others teach primary steps and also the nuances of the traditional dance to the aspiring artists. The budding artists get the opportunity to practise with the melody and rhythm of the traditional musical instruments. It is known as Maldi Chau Shibir.
"We have come to know about the process of mask making at this Folk Art Centre. It wonderfully displayed the wide range of Chau masks. We are very happy to be here and will tell our friends and relatives about the different type of masks."
