Mobile Menu Toggle

  • Kerala Travel Ideas
    • Adventure
    • Family
    • Friends & Group
    • Heritage
  • Resorts & Staycations
    • Mountain
    • Nature
    • Seaside & Beach
    • Budget
  • Tourist Places In kerala
    • Alappuzha
    • Ernakulam
    • Idukki
    • Kozhikode
  • About kerala
  • Travel Blogs
    • Travel
    • Food & Drinks
    • Kerala

 

 

 

Forgot password?
  • Kerala Travel Ideas
    • Adventure
    • Family
    • Friends & Group
    • Heritage
  • Resorts & Staycations
    • Mountain
    • Nature
    • Seaside & Beach
    • Budget
  • Tourist Places In kerala
    • Alappuzha
    • Ernakulam
    • Idukki
    • Kozhikode
  • About kerala
  • Travel Blogs
    • Travel
    • Food & Drinks
    • Kerala

  • Art & Culture
  • Boatrace
  • Books & Literature
  • Districts in Kerala
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Festivels
  • Keral Food & Cuisine
  • Handicrafts
  • How to Reach Kerala
  • kerala Tourism
  • Language
  • Medias In Kerala
  • Shopping
  • Spices In Kerala
  • Kerala Tradition
  • Transportation
  • Weather in Kerala

Find distance between

Find Now

Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is a dance form said to have originated in Kerala. It is closely related to Bharathanatyam of Tamil Nadu, Mohiniyattamwhich was originally called ‘Dasiyattam’. Originated as the temple dance performed by Devadasis, it portrays feminine love in its myriad forms – carnal, devotional and maternal- with accent more on Lasya and Bhava. In the main items Cholkettu, Padavarnam and Padam, Mudras and facial expressions are more important than the rhythmic steps. Costumes and ornaments of Mohiniyattam have much in common with female characters of Koodiyattam and Kathakali.
Once Mohiniyattam was performed only in Temples premises and royal courts. The first reference to Mohiniyattam is found in ‘Vyavaharamala’ composed by Mazhamangalam Narayanan Namboodiri, of 16th century AD. Major contributions to this art form were given by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, Irayimman Thampi and Kuttikunju Thankachi.

After Swathi Thirunal’s period there was a downfall of Mohiniyattam. It somehow degenerated into eroticism to satisfy the Epicurean life of a few provincial satraps and landlords. The renowned Malayalam poet Vallathol revived it and gave it a status in modern times through Kerala Kalamandalam which is presently doing its best for the development and popularity of Mohiniyattam.

Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma (wife of famous Kathakali artist, late Padmashree Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair) and Chinnammu Amma are well known Mohiniyattam performers. Among the present day artists Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, Kalamandalam Kshemavathi, Bharathi Sivaji, Kanak Rele, Sunanda Nair etc.. are well known artists. Smt. Kanak Rele deserves a special mention as she is not a Malayalee. She has established a Nritya Mahavidyalaya in Mumbai to promote Mohiniyattam along with other dance forms.

Most of the component items of Mohiniyattam are similar to Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi, though subtle differences of style is obvious. The language used in the lyrics is a pleasant mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit, known as Manipravalam. Formerly, the Padams were specially composed to include only Sringararasa. Now a days artists are using any classical or semi-classical compositions, even from other language. The real beauty of Mohiniyattam comes through only when mature ladies enact the romantic padams specially written to present the Ashta Nayikas: Swadheena Bharthruka, Khanditha, Abhisarika, Vipralabdha, Kalahandtharitha, Vasakasajja, Proshithabharthruka, Viraholkhanditha.

The accompaniments for Mohiniyattam are Vocal, Veena, Venu, Maddalam and Idakka. Other instruments are also not unusual.

Compared most other dance forms, Mohiniyattam gives more importance to gestural and facial acting. The Mudras (hand gestures) are almost always same as those employed in Kathakali. The artists try to enact the lyrics almost in its entirety, like in Kathakali.

Travel destinations

Meenvallom Waterfalls, Palakkad
Sree Chithra Enclave, Thiruvananthapuram
The State Museum, Thrissur, Tourist Places Near by Thrissur Museum
30 Best Tourist Places to Visit in Kochi
Best Places to Visit Near Marine drive Kochi

Best Tourist Places in Kerala

  • Munnar
  • Nelliampathi
  • Thenmala
  • Vagamon
  • Ambukuthi Mala
  • Vembanad Lake
  • Kumbalangi
  • Kozhikode Beach
  • Kumbalangi
  • Mattancherry

Kerala Information

  • kerala Districts
  • Travel Posts
  • Kerala Arts
  • Blog Posts
  • kerala Festivals
  • Kerala Cuisines
  • Handicrafts
  • Kerala Tourism
  • Contact Us
  • Policies

Trending Locations

  • Pookode Lake
  • Silent Valley
  • Vythiri
  • Vazhachal
  • Kanthalloor
  • Wayanad
  • Athirapally
  • Poovar Beach
  • Kozhikode Beach
  • Malampuzha

Are you a Travel partner or want to list your property on our website? It is free!

REGISTER NOW