Chau dance is a genre of Indian tribal martial dance popular in the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Based on the places of its origin and development, it is called Seraikella Chhau, Mayubhanj Chhau and Purulia Chhau. Chau is associated with the Chait Parab that is celebrated in the festive spaces of local Shiva temples in Purulia around April/May every year.  A variety of drums accompany the music ensemble including dhol, dhumsa and kharka. Colorful masks are used to depict various characters.

Theme 2024: Sustainable Development: Bridging Perspectives on the Food-Energy-Water-Material Nexus

Modern astronomy started four centuries ago with Galileo’s invention of the astronomical telescope. In the past century, astronomical observations using different wavelengths of electromagnetic waves revolutionised our understanding of the Cosmos. Recently, observations using subatomic particles such as neutrinos and cosmic rays also have emerged as powerful means of probing the Cosmos. The newest frontier of astronomy is observations of gravitational waves — the elusive ripples in spacetime predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago.