Cognitive Constructivism or Social Constructionism: Information Seeking Behaviour of Purulia Chhau Artists

Chhau dance is a globally recognised traditional Indian dance originating in the eastern part of India. This dance style is generally practiced in the Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. However, it is widely acclaimed globally and gaining popularity among the masses not only in India but also abroad. It is a martial art-based dance that combines elements of dance, drama, and storytelling from the great Indian epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Moreover, it is known for its vibrant and colourful masks, intricate footwork, and dynamic movements. Although information seeking behaviour is a well-researched topic globally, it has not been studied among this group of people. Hence, this study is an attempt to investigate the information seeking behaviour of Chhau dance artists in the information age. Using a semi-structured qualitative interview of 30 participants, the study observed that the information seeking of Chhau artists is a combination of cognitive construct and that of social construct. Further investigation is required to develop a framework under the broader perspective of information seeking behaviour.