Mohiniattam: The Enchanting Grace of Kerala's Classical Dance

Mohiniattam: The Enchanting Grace of Kerala's Classical Dance

Mohiniattam is a classical Indian dance form that originated in the state of Kerala. It is exclusively performed by women and is known for its graceful and soft movements, in contrast to the vigorous style of Kathakali.

The dance is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, particularly in his enchantress incarnation as Mohini. Mohiniattam embodies feminine grace and often depicts Shringara, the portrayal of divine love.

Historically, Mohiniattam has roots dating back to the second or third century A.D., according to some scholars, coinciding with the era of the Tamil epic Silappadikaaram. Others believe it was developed in the court of Maharaja Svati Tirunal of Travancore in the 18th century. During this time, the dance form assimilated elements from Bharata Natyam and Karnatak Music.

In the early 20th century, like many traditional art forms, Mohiniattam faced decline due to British colonial policies. However, with the support of state and central government initiatives, the classical dance form experienced a revival.

Salient Features of Mohiniattam:

1. Graceful Movements: Mohiniattam belongs to the Lasya style, which emphasizes femininity, tenderness, and grace. The dance is characterized by swaying body movements without abrupt jerks or leaps.

2. Circular and Swaying Movements: The dance's distinctive "aandolika" element involves circular or spiral movements of all body limbs, creating a pendulum-like sway reminiscent of coconut trees and paddy fields.

3. Borrowed Movements: Mohiniattam incorporates movements inspired by Nangiar Koothu and female folk dances like Kaikottikali and Tiruvatirakali.

4. Subtle Footwork: The footwork in Mohiniattam is soft and gentle, allowing the focus to be on hand gestures and facial expressions.

5. Expressive Abhinaya: Mohiniattam emphasizes acting and emotional expression. Dancers immerse themselves in the character's sentiments while performing compositions like Padams and Pada Varnams.

6. Hand Gestures: The dance uses 24 hand gestures, primarily sourced from Hastalakshana Deepika, a text followed in Kathakali. Some gestures are borrowed from Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Darpana, and Balarambharatam.

7. Vocal Music: The accompanying vocal music in Mohiniattam features various rhythms, and the compositions are often in Manipravala, a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam. The music style is Carnatic.

8. Musical Instruments: Instruments such as Kuzhitalam (cymbals), Veena, Idakka (hourglass-shaped drum), Mridangam (barrel-shaped drum with two heads), and flute are commonly used during Mohiniattam performances.

Prominent exponents of Mohiniattam in the 20th century include Vallathol Narayana Menon, Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Thankamony, Krishna Panicker, and Mukundraja. Present-day exponents include Sunanda Nair, Smitha Rajan (granddaughter of Kalyanikutty Amma), Radha Dutta, Vijayalakshmi, Gopika Varma, and Jayaprabha Menon, among others.

Mohiniattam is a traditional Indian classical dance form that originated in the state of Kerala, in the southwestern part of India. It is one of the eight major classical dance forms of India, and its name is derived from the words "Mohini" (meaning enchantress) and "attam" (meaning dance).

History: The origins of Mohiniattam can be traced back to the devadasi (temple dancers) system, where women would perform dances as offerings in Hindu temples. Over time, the dance form evolved and incorporated elements of the Natya Shastra, an ancient Indian treatise on the performing arts.

Mohiniattam reached its pinnacle of development during the reign of the King Swathi Thirunal (1813-1847) of the princely state of Travancore. The king himself was a patron of the arts and played a significant role in reviving and refining the dance form.

Costumes and Characteristics: Mohiniattam is characterized by its graceful, fluid movements and soft, subtle expressions. The dance involves swaying movements, resembling the swaying of a palm tree, which is a unique aspect of this art form.

Dancers typically wear traditional white and gold sarees, known as "Kasavu sarees," which are adorned with elegant jewelry. The hair is tied in a bun, and the dancers wear jasmine flowers, which add to the beauty and charm of the performance.

Performance: The performance of Mohiniattam usually begins with an invocation piece called "Cholkettu," followed by a series of expressive and rhythmic pieces. The repertoire consists of different items, including:

1. Cholkettu: The introductory piece mentioned earlier.

2. Jatiswaram: A pure dance piece showcasing intricate footwork and rhythmic patterns.

3. Varnam: The central and most elaborate piece, involving both expressive and rhythmic elements, where the dancer portrays a narrative or expresses emotions through dance.

4. Padams: Expressive pieces that depict emotions, love, and devotion, often based on poetic compositions.

5. Thillana: A concluding piece that highlights the technical skills of the dancer, set to a lively rhythm.

The music accompanying Mohiniattam is typically in the Carnatic style, a traditional South Indian classical music genre.

In recent times, Mohiniattam has gained recognition not only as a temple dance but also as a stage performance art. It is performed by both male and female dancers, and efforts have been made to preserve and promote this beautiful art form for future generations.

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