Mohini Attam, the only feminine dance among the seven Indian
classical dances
by Subashini Pathmanathan
Mohini Attam has its origin in the Kerala state of India. Mohini
Attam is a female classical dance form of India. There is no room for
males in this dance form. According to Hindu mythology once Lord Vishnu
took as Mohini Avatar and danced. Mohini Attam is also based on puranic
themes as all other Indian dance forms. Mohini Attam is now used by the
female dancers to entice the audience. Kathakali is a masculine and male
dominated dance form of Kerala. Both these dance forms originated in the
Kerala soil and both have been very much influenced by the mythical
Hindu stories.
The origin of Mohini Attam cannot be mentioned exactly. But it could
be said that the feminine dance Mohini Attam bears a close affinity to
Bharat Natya. Mohini Attam developed along with Bharatha Natya, and
Kathakali. Mohini Attam is sometimes described as a blend of Sadir
(earlier form of Bharatha Natya,) and Kathakali.
The feet are kept apart as in Bharatha Natya, the feet are also
stretched out as in Kathakali. Mohini Attam grew up in Kerala and
reached its peak during the period of Travancore Maharaja, Swathi
Thirunal Maharaja. One of the brothers of Thanjore Quaritte Vadivelu who
migrated to Travancore became Travancore Swathi Thirunal Maharaja's
court Vidvan. Vadivelu gave an impetus to this dance. In the early
stages, compositions of Valathal Narayan Menon and Swathi Thirunal
Sakithiyams (Verses) were presented in Mohini Attam.
The basic literature of Mohini Attam was supposed to be composed by
the Sanskrit scholar Mazhamangalam Nayaranan Namboothiri in 1079 A.D.
His treatise is Vyavaharamala. This particular treatise elaborates how
much fees have to be levied by the Mohini Attam dancers for their
performance.
Unlike most other classical dance forms this particular dance form
did not originate in temple and temple environs. The period of origin of
Mohini Attam could not be traced. However, this dance form was developed
in and around royal palaces. Unlike other Indian classical dance forms
this particular dance form never moved to the Hindu temples, yet it is
based on Hindu mythology.
This graceful dance form flourished mainly during the Travancore
Maharaja Swathi Thirunalâ's rule. During the period of Swathi Thirunal
Maharaja this art flourished by different dimensions. The melodious
carnatic musical base is the soul of the dance form. It is a very
graceful and slow motion dance form. It uses abundant Abhinaya, and
excellent facial expressions. Mostly Sringara Rasa (Erotic sentiments)
dominate the entire dance. Floating body movements and hand movements
are well maintained in this feminine Indian classical dance form. Stiff
movements are not seen in this dance. The body movements sway and swing
rhythmically. Slight sidewise torso movement is the distinguished
feature of the dance.
The slight sidewise torso movement is often called Atibhanga in
Mohini Attam. The items in the Mohini Attam repertoire starts with
Slonka, sollukattu, Jatheswaram, Sabdam ,Varnam, Padam, Kriti, Thillana
and Slonkam. Normally an invocatory item of Mohini Attam recital starts
with a Slonka particularly in a selective Raga. That raga is Aananda
Bhairavai. This Slonka is always done in praise of the Goddess of
Bhagavathi of Kerala. It is mostly ended up with another dance item
named sollukattu. This concluding piece of the sollukattu is always in
praise of Lord Vishnu or Lord Siva.
Mohini Attam also uses some of the classical pieces used in Bharatha
Natya such as Jetheswaram, Sabdam, Varanam, Padam Thillana and Slogam.
One could easily understand that Mohini Attam is the classical dance of
immediate neighbouring Tamil Nadu state. Tamil Nadu's classical dance is
Bharatha Natya. Hence Bharatha Natya, influence on Mohini Attam is
clearly seen. Nritta, Nirtya and Natya (Pure Dance), Nritta, (Bhava,
Abhinaya, Hand gesture, and Rasa) Nirtya are equally used in Bharatha
Natya. But in Mohini Attam, Natya is the pre-dominating feature. Head
ornaments for Mohini Attam are Netti Chuti and Surya Chandran.
For neck Kasumali, necklace and short necklaces IllakaThali and Mulla
Mottu Mali are often used as neck ornaments in this feminine dance form.
Finger rings, hand bangles called Attam and Valayam are used for the
hand. For anklets Ellas, Kinni and anklets are worn. But the ornaments
used in Mohini Attam are almost similar to that used in Bharatha Natya.
In Mohini Attam an exceptional hair style is adopted with a tied knot on
the left side of the head. White flower garlands are beautifully tied
around the knot. Mohini Attam uses only white pleated costumes with gold
borders.
In Bharatha Natya, colourful costumes and different patterns of
costumes are used.
Hence there is a general belief that Mohini Attam is a combination of
two state classical dances of India (Bharatha Natya of Tamil Nadu and
Kathakali of Kerala). To revive this art, the great poet Vallathol
Narayanan Men established Kerala Kala Mandalam, in 1935. Mohini Attam
developed alongside Bharatha Natya and Kathakali. It is sometimes
described as a blend of Sadir and Kathakali. |