Mohiniyattam or the dance of the enchantress, originated in the southern most state of Kerala. This dance, unlike the other 2 South Indian styles, has wide and swaying
Movements of the body and 15 more sensuous in style.
The dance of the enchantress, Mohiniyattam is a female classical dance form of Kerala. It was mainly performed in the Temple precincts of Kerala. It is also the heir to devadasi dance heritage like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi. The word Mohini means a maiden who enacts desire or steals the heart of the onlookers. There is a well known story of Lord Vishnu taking on the guise of a mohini to enthrall people, both in connection
with the churning of the milk ocean and with the episode of slaying of Bhasmasura
Mohiniyattam is based on the themes of love and devotion and more often the hero is Vishnu or Krishna. The audience can feel his invisible presence when the heroine or her maid details dreams and ambitions through the circular movements, delicate footsteps and subtle expressions. The movements are graceful like Odissi and the costumes sober and attractive.
The repertoire of Mohiniyattam follows closely that of Bharatanatyam. Beginning with Chollikettu, the dancer performs Jathiswaram, Varnam, Padam and Thillana in a concert. Mohiniyattam like many other forms follows the Hasthalakshana Deepika as a text book of hand gestures. The style of vocal music for Mohiniyattam is classical Karnatic.
