It breaks dance into two specific types, the first one being ‘nritta’ or pure dance that centres around finesse of hand movements and gestures, and the other being ‘nritya’ that features the expressive aspect of dance. Among them, Vallathol Narayana Menon, a Malayalam language poet who was counted among the triumvirate poets of modern Malayalam, not only aided in rescinding the ban on temple dancing in Kerala but also revived and reconstructed the dance form. The Lasya dance theme and structure is followed in Mohiniattam. The 16th century book titled ‘Vyavaharamala’ written by scholar, poet, author and astrologer Mazhamangalam Narayanan Namboodiri is the first known book that mentions the term Mohiniyattam in connection with a payment due to a Mohiniyattam dancer. Privacy Policy. Mohiniattam evolved from the state of Kerala which also has an association with the old tradition of Lasya style of dancing. The costume for the Mohiniyattam is a cream two-piece pleated saree with a wide golden border and traditional gold ornaments. [8] Mohiniyāttam follows the structure and aims of the Lāsyā dance in Natya Shastra. Nevertheless Lemos mentions of evidences that point out that scholarship, rewards and payments were made to Mohiniattam dancers. The temple sculptures of the state are the earliest manifestations of Mohiniattam or other dance forms similar to it. The very inception of Kalamandalam helped revive Mohiniattam, Kudiyattam and Kathakali, the three main performing arts of Kerala. So the classical dance is a beautiful feminine style with the singing flow of the body movements. Dr. Justine Lemos, who did an elaborate research on Mohiniattam, mentioned that the Maharaja had to ban the dance form under compulsion from the colonial rule and his citizens. Which belongs to Kerala. Mohiniyattam is a dance form said to have originated in Kerala. Mohiniyattam gets its name from the word ‘Mohini’, the feminine form of Lord Vishnu; the word means ‘dance of Mohini’. [31], The ridicule and bans enacted during the British colonial era contributed to nationalist sentiments, and impacted all Hindu performance arts including Mohiniyattam. Considered to be “among the most popular classical dance styles” in south of India is the Mohiniyattam. Mohiniattam poses are also palpable from the various feminine sculptures that adorn the 11th century Vishnu temple at Trikodithanam, and the Kidangur Subramanya temple. Join now. Mohiniyattam. Mohiniattam is one of the two classical dances of India that developed in the state of Kerala. This classical dance is performed by solo woman dancer, as the name itself says, Mohini means ‘a maiden’ and Yattam means ‘dance’.Mohiniyattam is a blend of Bharatanatyam and Kathakali, as it uses the elements of these dances. It is performed by women. [9] Another text, Gosha Yatra, from the 17th century too mentions the term. Learning Bharatanatyam has continued till this very day. Mohiniattam or Mohiniyattam is an Indian classical dance form that evolved in the state of Kerala, India, and is counted among the two popular dance arts of the state, the other being Kathakali. [2], Mohiniyattam, also referred to as Mohini-attam, is derived from "Mohini" – a famous female avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu in Indian mythology. He established a dance school called ‘Kerala Kalamandalam’ in 1930. This folk dance, originating in the North-Indian state of Punjab, is generally performed during Vaishakhi (the harvest festival) in North India. While discussing about various performing art forms of Kerala, renowned poet Kunchan Nambiar in his 17th century book ‘Gosha Yatra’ mentioned about Mohiniyattam. Mohiniattam dance form was nurtured in the region of Kerala in southwestern India. Such upheaval stigmatized all Indian classical dance forms including Mohiniattam that saw its decline in the princely states of Cochin and Travancore. ‘Natyam’ is usually performed by a group communicating a play through dance-acting. Mohiniyattam was a classical dance from the state of Kerala. > Mohiniyattam #Kerala. [25][26], The seductive gestures and facial expressions during temple dances were caricatured in The Wrongs of Indian Womanhood, published at the start of the 20th century, as evidence of "harlots, debased erotic culture, slavery to idols and priests" tradition, and Christian missionaries demanded that this must be stopped, launching the "anti-dance movement" or "anti-nautch movement" in 1892. Namely, ‘Nritta’ and  ‘Nritya’ mentioned in ‘Natya Shastra’ performing art of. And 500 CE which state evidence of Mohiniyattam involves various rhythms subtle changes in expressions and maneuvers! 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