Mohiniyattom In Kerala

As the name denotes, it is an amorous (Lasya) dance performed in slow, elegant and sensuous pace with formulated hand gestures translating the song to which it is performed.

The tuft knotted at the side of the head adorned by a garland of jasmine circling it, the dancer with normal facial make up and clad in gilded sari with series of pleats and jacket sways her body to the rhythm of orchestrated background music. It presents naturally beautiful dancer in her natural beauty.

Mohini means enchantress and Attam is dance. Legends say that. Once the ocean of milk was churned by the gods and demons to extract the elixir of life and immortality. The demons made away with this divine brew. Lord Vishnu came to the rescue of the panicky gods and assumed the female form of an amorous celestial dame Mohini.

Captivating the demons with her charms, Mohini stole the elixir from them and restored it to the gods. Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and limbs and highly emotive eye and hand gestures are unique to this dance form.