Chhau dance has been approved by UNESCO in the year 2010 as intangible Heritage.Is a genre of Indian tribal classical martial dance which is popular in the Indian states of Odisha.It is believed by some modern scholars that the word Chhau is derived from Sanskrit Chāya (shadow), but according to Sitakant Mahapatra, it is derived from Chhauni (military camp.)The use of swords and shields in combat, with a few martial arts moves, stylised gaits of birds and animals, and also movements based on the chores of village housewives.