10 Facts About Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam dance gets its name from the word Mohini – a historical enchantress avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, who helps the good prevail over evil by developing her feminine powers.

Mohiniyattam, referred to as Mohini-attam, is derived from "Mohini" – a famous female avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu in Indian mythology.

Mohiniyattam's appears in Hindu mythologies during a battle between Devas and Asuras (evil), after the evil had won control of Amrita (nectar of immortality).

Mohiniyattam is a classical Indian dance, which by definition traces its repertoire to the foundational text Natya Shastra.

Mohiniyattam follows the structure and aims of the Lasya dance in Natya Shastra.

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Mohiniyattam is a lasya subgenre of dance, performed in the Kaisiki vritti, as discussed in ancient Indian performance arts texts such as the Natya Shastra.

Basic posture of Mohiniyattam is parted feet, knees bent outwards, an erect upper torso, gentle 8-shape side to side swaying of body along with hips.

Repertoire sequence of Mohiniyattam is similar to that of Bharatanatyam, so of contains seven items that are performed to a structure described in classical dance texts: Cholkettu, Jatisvaram or more precisely Swarajeti, Varnam (a play wherein she embeds a mimicry for distraction while communicating the underlying story or message), Padam (song), Tillana (dancer's interpretation of melody the musician create), Shlokam and Saptam.

Mohiniyattam's wears a fitted choli matching the sari, below which at the waist is a golden belt which tucks in the end of the sari, and highlights the waist.

Musical instruments usually used in Mohiniyattam are Mridangam or Madhalam, Idakka (hour glass drum), flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam (cymbals).