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Mohiniyattam is the traditional dance of Kerala and one among the eight Indian classical dance forms. It is a very graceful dance meant to be performed as a solo recital by women. The term Mohiniyattam comes from the words "Mohini" meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and "aattam" meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. The word "Mohiniyattam" literally means "dance of the enchantress".
There are two stories of the Lord Vishnu disguised as a Mohini. In one, he appears as Mohini to lure the asuras (demons) away from the amrita (nectar of immortality) obtained during the churning of the Palazhi , The Ocean of Milk.In the second story demon Bhasmasura performed intense ‘tapas’ (penance) for several years Finally, Lord Shiva relented and granted the demon the boon that he asked – that he could burn to ashes anyone whose head he placed his hand. An Asura, Bhasmasura showed his true color and he wanted to test the power of the boon by placing his hand on Shiva’s head. Shiva fled in terror and sought the help of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu appears as Mohini to save Lord Shiva from the demon Bhasmasura.
The name Mohiniyattam may have been coined after Lord Vishnu, and the main theme of the dance is love and devotion to God, with usually Vishnu or Krishna or Shiva being the hero. Mohiniyattam is a drama in dance and verse. Mohiniyaatam is the typical dance form of Kerala which has enchantment grace and passion. It is a fusion of Bharatanatyam & Kathakali as it combines the graceful elegance of Bharatanatyam and the vigor of Kathakali. The performances are done only by women. The predominant mood created is sringharam, erotic.
Mohiniyaatam dancers wears the traditional costume of Kerala, a mixture of white or off-white with golden border. The face is done with an exaggerating eye make up to help her expressions & her emotions. The descriptions of mohiniyaatam cannot be complete without the mention of the Nayana-abhinaya or the use of the eyes, eye-brows & eye-lids. Whole of the costume create a mischievous atmosphere. The gentle swaying movement in perfect harmony with the music &the personality of the mohiniyaatam dancer take us all to the atmosphere of enchantment.
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