Mohiniyattam
Mohiniyatttam, the classical female dance-tradition of Kerala-South India, evolved in the seventeenth century. Once Mohiniyattam was performed only in Temples and royal courts.The first reference to Mohiniyattam is found in 'Vyavaharamaala' composed by Mazhamangalam Narayanan Namboodiri of 16th centuary A.D.Major contributions to this art form were given by Maharaja Swati Tirunal,Irayimman Thampi and Kuttikunju Thankachi.Mohiniyattam flourished along with Bharatanatyam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu.
The theme of Mohiniyattam dance is love and devotion to god.Vishnu or Krishna is most often the hero. The spectators can feel his invisible presence when the heroine or her maid details dreams and ambitions through circular movements, delicate footsteps and subtle expressions. Through slow and medium tempos, the dancer is able to find adequate space for suggestive bhavas or emotions. We feel the hero's invisible presence when the heroine or her companion (sakhi) describes him through graceful laasya (feminine) type of dance involving delicate hand-gestures and circular, wave like body-movements. Mohiniyattam gives more importance to gestural and facial acting.There are no abrupt jerks or leaps in Mohiniyaattam nor is there any inordinately hard stamping of the foot
Mohini the temptress, is a recurring character in HIndu mythology.It is seductive dance performed by women, sensuous in its appeal.Mohiniyaattam is mainly the Lasya dance performed strictly according to scriptures of Natya Shastra.Because of the special type of instruction associated with it the dance presents striking bodily poses and attitudes and exquisitely graceful foot-work.
The main items of Mohiniyattam are Cholkettu,Jatiswaram, Pada Varnam, Padam & Thillana. The invocation of Mohiniyattam is known as Cholkkettu. Varnam is the piece of pure dance and abhinaya in Mohiniyattam. Thillaana unfolds to the audience the dancer's rhythmic virtuosity. Padam focusses on abhinaya.
The basic dance steps called Adavus are of four kinds:
Abhinaya
The expressions which are shown to express poetic meanings is Abinaya. In Abhinaya,the emphasis is more on facial expressions than rythemic movements.
The Abhinaya is divided as Angika Abhinaya,Vachika Abhinaya, Aharya Abhinaya and Satvika Abhinaya.
NavaRasa (Nine Moods)
Navarasas comes under the Abhinaya or Expression part in dance. They are:
The make-up and costume of Mohiniyattam is simple and realistic. The dancer's face is made up of yellow and pink-paste. The dancer is attired in a beautiful white with gold border Kasavu saree of Kerala, with the distinctive white jasmin flowers around a French bun at the side of her head.Her eyes are blackened with kajal and lips reddened.
Music & Musical Instruments used to accompany Mohiniyattam
The Music used in Mohiniyattam is based on Classical or Semi-Classical compositions.The language used in the lyrics of Mohiniyattam is a mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit,known as Manipravalam.The Padams were specially composed to include 'Sringara Rasa' in Mohiniyattam.The musical instruments used are Mridamgam, Violin, Idakka and Veena
Famous Artists
Some of the famous Mohiniyattam dancers are Kalamandalam Kalyanikuttyamma, Bharathi Shivaji, Kanak Rele, Sunanda Nair,Neena Prasad and Pallavi Krishnan
The theme of Mohiniyattam dance is love and devotion to god.Vishnu or Krishna is most often the hero. The spectators can feel his invisible presence when the heroine or her maid details dreams and ambitions through circular movements, delicate footsteps and subtle expressions. Through slow and medium tempos, the dancer is able to find adequate space for suggestive bhavas or emotions. We feel the hero's invisible presence when the heroine or her companion (sakhi) describes him through graceful laasya (feminine) type of dance involving delicate hand-gestures and circular, wave like body-movements. Mohiniyattam gives more importance to gestural and facial acting.There are no abrupt jerks or leaps in Mohiniyaattam nor is there any inordinately hard stamping of the foot
Mohini the temptress, is a recurring character in HIndu mythology.It is seductive dance performed by women, sensuous in its appeal.Mohiniyaattam is mainly the Lasya dance performed strictly according to scriptures of Natya Shastra.Because of the special type of instruction associated with it the dance presents striking bodily poses and attitudes and exquisitely graceful foot-work.
The main items of Mohiniyattam are Cholkettu,Jatiswaram, Pada Varnam, Padam & Thillana. The invocation of Mohiniyattam is known as Cholkkettu. Varnam is the piece of pure dance and abhinaya in Mohiniyattam. Thillaana unfolds to the audience the dancer's rhythmic virtuosity. Padam focusses on abhinaya.
The basic dance steps called Adavus are of four kinds:
- Taganam
- Jaganam
- Dhaganam
- Sammisram.
Abhinaya
The expressions which are shown to express poetic meanings is Abinaya. In Abhinaya,the emphasis is more on facial expressions than rythemic movements.
The Abhinaya is divided as Angika Abhinaya,Vachika Abhinaya, Aharya Abhinaya and Satvika Abhinaya.
NavaRasa (Nine Moods)
Navarasas comes under the Abhinaya or Expression part in dance. They are:
- Shringara which means Love
- Hasya which means Laughter
- Veera which means Heroism
- Roudra which means Anger
- Bhayanaka which means fear
- Bhibatsam which means Ugly
- Adbhudam which means Amazed/Wondered
- Karuna which means Sympathy/Compassion
- Shantam which means Peace
The make-up and costume of Mohiniyattam is simple and realistic. The dancer's face is made up of yellow and pink-paste. The dancer is attired in a beautiful white with gold border Kasavu saree of Kerala, with the distinctive white jasmin flowers around a French bun at the side of her head.Her eyes are blackened with kajal and lips reddened.
Music & Musical Instruments used to accompany Mohiniyattam
The Music used in Mohiniyattam is based on Classical or Semi-Classical compositions.The language used in the lyrics of Mohiniyattam is a mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit,known as Manipravalam.The Padams were specially composed to include 'Sringara Rasa' in Mohiniyattam.The musical instruments used are Mridamgam, Violin, Idakka and Veena
Famous Artists
Some of the famous Mohiniyattam dancers are Kalamandalam Kalyanikuttyamma, Bharathi Shivaji, Kanak Rele, Sunanda Nair,Neena Prasad and Pallavi Krishnan