Walls
of language crumble before emotion. Its myriad faces help one finger the heart
strings of another of alien culture and language. The universal acceptance of
dance forms stems from the fact; Emotions triumph over language. Lasya bhava-
the expression of cosmic feminine creativity-of Mohiniyattom goes down well
with dance lovers and chance audience alike. The graceful, sensuous, aesthetic
movements of a danseuse is a feast to the eyes.The name is derived from Mohini,
portrayed in Purana legends.
Mohiniyattom, expressing worship, has a tradition, soft and graceful, running
down centuries. Its history goes to those days man began worshipping supernatural
powers. Each village had a sacred grove, believed to be the home of the protector
(goddess). Artists began to illustrate the goddess in pictures or colour carpet.
Later choreographers are believed to have developed dance movements from these
colour carpets and thus emerged the dance form.
In the beginning of the 20th century, Mohiniyattom, which was till then confined
into the temple premises, faced an unprecedented crisis for want of promoters
and patrons. Later Swathi Thirunal Maharaja, king of erstwhile Travancore, breathed
fresh life into the dance form making it popular. Mohiniyattom along with other
dance forms enjoyed royal patronage during his regime.
Though bewitching and captivating, qualities expressed in Mohiniyattom are noble,
dignified. Tradition says the dance of the enchantress creates chaos for evil
doers and pleasure and ecstasy for the righteous.
A solo performance of a woman who stands in grace, dignity and pure aesthetic
pleasures. The rasa sentiment evoked by the dance is said to be one of love.
Mohiniyattom is performed by women wearing gold-bordered off-white saris and
gold jewellery, their hair in a chignon high on one side of the head and encircled
with white jasmine flowers. From her neck hangs the serpent figure and from
ankles brass bells tinkle and forehead wear vermilion.
Mohiniyattom is performed by women wearing gold-bordered off-white saris and
gold jewellery, their hair in a chignon high on one side of the head and encircled
with white jasmine flowers. From her neck hangs the serpent figure and from
ankles brass bells tinkle and forehead wear vermilion.
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