Mohiniyattam has recently made gender neutral by the Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed university for arts and culture.
About Mohiniyattam:
- Mohiniyattam is a classical solo dance form from Kerala, that honors the Hindu god Vishnu in his incarnation as the enchantress Mohini.
- As one of the eight Indian classical dance forms, Mohiniyattam is known for its grace and allure, traditionally performed by women.
- Mohiniyattam, derived from “mohini” (woman who enchants) and “aattam” (graceful movement), translates to “dance of the enchantress.”
- Top of FormMohiniyattam integrates aspects of traditional Kerala performing arts like Koothu and Kutiyattam, as well as influences from Bharatanatyam and Kathakali.
- Themes of love and devotion to deities, particularly Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, are central to Mohiniyattam performances.
- Musical instruments typically used in Mohiniyattam include the Mridangam or Madhalam (barrel drum), Idakka (hour glass drum), flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam (cymbals).
Characteristics:
- Rooted in the Natya Shastra, Mohiniyattam follows the Lasya style, characterized by delicate, erotic, feminine movements and expressions.
- Mohiniyattam consists of approximately 40 basic movements known as adavukal.
- Its performance style is characterized by the swaying of hips and gentle side-to-side movements with a straight body posture.
- Like many other classical dance forms of India, Mohiniyattam also employs the use of mudras, or hand gestures, as described in the ancient treatise on Hastha Lakshanadeepika, to convey the story.
- These mudras are expressed through the fingers and palms of the hands.
Historical context:
- References to Mohiniyattam date back to texts like the Vyavaharamala (1709) by Mazhamagalam Narayanan Namputiri and Ghoshayatra by poet Kunjan Nambiar.
- Systematized in the 18th century, Mohiniyattam faced challenges during the colonial British Raj, being ridiculed as part of the Devadasi system.
- It was later subjected to bans from 1931 to 1938, which were partially repealed in 1940 following protests.
Ref:Source
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is Mohiniyattam?
Mohiniyattam is a classical solo dance form from Kerala that honors the Hindu god Vishnu in his incarnation as the enchantress Mohini.
What themes are central to Mohiniyattam performances?
Themes of love and devotion to deities, particularly Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, are central to Mohiniyattam performances.
What are the musical instruments typically used in Mohiniyattam?
Musical instruments typically used in Mohiniyattam include the Mridangam or Madhalam (barrel drum), Idakka (hour glass drum), flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam (cymbals).