|
India Dance : Mohiniyattam
Mohiniyattam
is also the heir to Devadasi dance heritage like Bharatanatyam,
Kuchipudi and Odissi. The word 'Mohini' literally means a maiden
who exerts desire or steals tlie heart of the onlooker.
There is the well-known story of Lord Vishnu taking on the guise of a 'Mohini'
to entliral people, both in connection with the churning of the milk-ocean and
with the episode of the slaying of Bhasmasura. Thus it is thought that Vaishnava
devotees gave the name of Mohiniyattam to this dance form.
In format, this is similar to Bharatanatyam. The movements are graceful like
Odissi and the costumes sober and attracttially a solo dance.
The first reference to Mohiniyattam is found in 'Vyvaharamala', composed by Mazhaman
galatn Narayanan Narnbudin, assigned to the 16th century A.D.
In the 19th century Swathi Tirunal, the king of erstwhile Travancore, did much
to cncouiage and stabilize this art-form. It was Poe Vallathol who again revived
it and gave it a status in modern times through Kerala Kalamandaiam, which he
founded in 1930.
Kalarnandaiam Kalyaniamma, the first dance teacher of Kalarnandaiam. was instrurriental
in resuscitating this ancient art form. It is slowly trying to acquire an identity
and classical status.
|
