Mohiniyattam

#GS 01 Art and Culture

Mohiniattam is one of the classical dance forms of India.
Mohiniattam, which belongs to Kerala, takes its name from the mythic enchantress Mohini.
The word ‘Mohini’ refers to the charming women avatar of Lord Vishnu- to end the evil powers.
It is a dance of feminine grace, and has grown out of performances connected with Kerala’s temples.
Characterized as it is by femininity, Mohiniattam has no heavy steps or rhythmic tension: the footwork is gentle, soft, and sliding.
The dancer’s body rises and falls with an easy grace, with the emphasis mainly on the torso.
Dancers adorn a white saree with a golden brocade, which is a highlight of the dance form.
Vyavaharamala, the 16th-century text by Mazhamangalam Narayanan Nampoothiri contains the first known mention of the term Mohiniyattam.
Another old text containing the mention of the art form was Ghoshayatra, written later by great poet Kunjan Nambiar.

Kanak Rele was a Mohiniyattam expert who was awarded the first Guru Gopinath National Puraskaram of the Government of Kerala.
She established the Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya in 1973.
She also earned her Ph.D. in dance, the first in India, in 1977.
Rele was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2013.

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