Growth of Mohini Attam

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 like all other Indian dance form. Mohni Attam presently 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 couldn’t be mentioned exactly. But it could be said that the feminine dance Mohini Attam bears a close affinity with Bharatha Natyam.

Bharatha Natyam influenced Mohini Attam

Mohini Attam developed along with the side of Bharatha Natyam and Kathakali. Mohini Attam is sometimes described as a blend of Sathir (earlier form of Bharata Natyam) and Kathakali. The feet are kept apart as in Bharatha Natyam, meanwhile the feet are also stretched out as in Kathakali.

Early stages

Mohini Attam grew up in Kerala, and it reached its peak during the period of Travancore Maharaja, Swathi Thirunal Maharaja. One of the outstanding brothers of Thanjore Quaritte Vadivelu who migrated to Travancore and became Travancore Swathi Thirunal Maharaja’s court vidwan.

Vadivelu gave an impetus to this dance. In the early stages, compositions of Valathal Narayan Menon, and Swathi Thirunal sakithiyams 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 AD. His treatise is Vyavahaaramaala. This particular treatise even elaborates how much fees have to be levied by the Mohini Attam dancers for their performance.

Not like most of other classical dance forms this particular dance form which was not at all originated 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 the royal palaces.

Not like other Indian classical dance forms this particular dance form never moved to the Hindu temples, yet it is based on Hindu Mythology. Further, this graceful dance form flourished mainly during the Travancore Maharaja Swathi Thirunal’s rule. During the period of Swathi Thirunal Maharaja this art flourished by different dimensions.

Melodious Carnatic musical base is the soul of the dance form. This dance is a very graceful and slow motion dance form. This dance form uses abundance abinaya, and excellent facial expressions. Mostly Sringara Rasa (erotic sentiments) dominates the entire dance.

Hand movements

Floating body movements and hand movements are well maintained in this feminine Indian classical dance form. Stiff movements are not at all seen in this dance. The body movements sway and swing rhythmically. Slight sidewise torso movement is the distinguished feature of this dance. This slight sidewise torso movement is often called as Atibhanga in Mohini Attam.

The items in the Mohini Attam repertoire starts with Slonga, Cholukattu, Jatheswaram,Varnam, Padam, Kriti, Thillana and Solkam. Normally an invocatory item of Mohini Attam recital starts with a Sloga particularly in a particular selective Raga.

That raga is on Aananda Biravai. This particular Sloga is always done in praise of Goddess of Bhagavathi of Kerala. This particular Sloga is mostly ended up with another dance item named Chollukadu. This concluding piece of this chollukadu is always in praise of Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva. Mohini Aattam also uses some of the classical pieces used in Bharatha Natyam like Jetheswaram, Sabtham, Varanam Padam Thillana and Slogam.

One could easily understand that Mohini Attam is the classical dance of immediate neighboring Tamil Nadu state. Tamil Nadu’s classical dance is Bharatha Natyam. Hence Bharatha Natyam influence on Mohini Attam is often seen. Nirtham, (Pure Dance), Niruthiyam (Bhava, Abinaya, Hand gestue, and Rasa) are equally used in Bharatha Natyam. But in Mohini Attam, Niruthiyam is the pre dominating feature.

Head ornaments for Mohini Attam are Netti Chuti and Surya Chandran. For neck Kasumali, necklace and short necklaces Illaka Thali, and Mulla Mottu Mali are often used as neck ornaments in this feminine dance form. Fingure rings, hand bangles called Kattam and Valayam are used for hand.

Flower garlands

For anklets Ellas, Kinni and anklets are worn. But the ornaments used in Mohini Attam are almost similar to that used in Bharatha Natyam. In Mohini Attam an exceptional hair style is adopted with tied knot at the left side of the left head. White flower garlands are beautifully tied around the knot.

Mohini Attam uses only white pleated costumes with gold borders. In Bharatha Natyam 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.

To revive this art by the great poet Vallathol Narayanan Menon established Kerala Kalamandalam, in 1935.