Cheraw is a folk dance of the north-eastern state of Mizoram in India. Cheraw dance is also known as "bamboo dance".
This dance is originally originated in China in the 1st century AD and latterly came to India. In ancient period, this dance traditionally performed to provide comfort to the soul of dead mothers. However today, it is performed during celebrations.
Movements of the Cheraw dance is inspired by nature like the swaying of the trees, flying of the birds.
Two pairs of Long bamboo starves are used for this dance, which is kept in cross and horizontal form on the ground.
An even number of male dancers who sit across from each other face to face tap the bamboos starves to produce a sound which forms the rhythm of the dance whereas female dancers step in and out of the laid bamboos with grace. Gongs and drums are the musical accompaniments to the dance. They step alternatively crossing the bamboos crisscrossed by the men. The females have an excellent sense of timing and presence of mind for the dance.
The costumes worn by the female performers is vibrant color traditional dance attire like Thihna, Vakiria, Kawrchei, and Puanchei. Both men and female wear tribal headgear with long stalks of feathers standing high over their head.
