Mohiniyattam Dance India

One of the traditional art forms of Kerala, the Mohiniyattam Dance is one of the most beautiful dance forms of Kerala. Also called Mohiniyattam, this dance form has close resemblances with Bharathnatyam.

Mohiniyattam Dance in Kerala which originally practiced by Devdasis in the strict confinements of the temple. Through this dance a woman expressed her love which could be carnal, devotional as well as maternal. Adorned by heavy embellishments the women used to dance Mohiniyattam in the temples of Kerala to pacify the Lord. The dance meant enchanting and expressing your love for the God.

The Mohiniyattam Dance presented through graceful steps and emotive eyes are bound to attract the spectator. The lyrical movements and the emotive expressions are still considered a class apart in the Indian dance forms.

The history of Mohiniyattam Dance can be traced to 16th century A.D. and it was later revived by Vallathol by the Kerala Kalamandalam. The origin of this unique dance of Kerala is in the Hindu mythology. It is believed that Lord Vishnu took the disguise of Mohini in order to steal the elixir of life from the demons. This dance was quite popular during the Chera period from 9th to the 12th century.