Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is a beautiful dance form of Malayalam. The name Mohiniyattam itself suggests that it means 'the dance of the beautiful'. Attam is the vernacular word for dance. It is believed that this art form originated in the 16th century AD. This is because the word Mohiniyattam was first mentioned in the work 'Vyavaharamala' by Mazhamangalam Narayanan Naṃputiri, who lived in that century. It is related to Bharatanatyam, which was a Devadasi dance in Tamil Nadu. Mohiniyattam was also performed by Devadasis who were appointed to dance in temples. Therefore, it was also known as Dasiyattam in the early days.

Even the hair is tied in a way that suits the traditional style of Kerala women. The attire is a thin chela and blouse. The chela is beautifully draped. There is a chutti on the forehead, earrings and a Koda Kadukkan in the ears, a nagapadathali and a pawn necklace around the neck. The hair tied in a circle at the back of the head is decorated with flowers. A nose ring and ornaments with the names of Surya and Chandra on both sides of the head are worn. There are kaps and chilangas on the arms and legs. The artist performing Mohiniyattam enters the stage dressed in this way.

Famous Mohiniatta dancers 

■ Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma

■ Thottassery Chinnammu Amma

■ Kalamandalam Sathyabhama

■ Kanak Rele

■ Ragini Devi

■ Deepti Omchery Bhalla 

■ Sunanda Nair

■ Geeta Nayak

■ Kala Devi

■ Shantara (Shanta Rao)

■ Kalamandalam Kshemavathy

■ Bharati Shivaji

■ Hema Malini

■ Pallavi Krishnan