Kerala Mohiniyattam Dance

A graceful Indian classical dance, captivates audiences with its fluid movements and delicate expressions. Like a blooming flower, the dancer embodies beauty and grace, weaving a story with every gesture, inviting you into a world of enchantment.

The dance form is characterized by intricate footwork and delicate hand gestures, known as mudras, which are used to convey a range of emotions and ideas. The mudras in Kerala Mohiniyattam dances are particularly subtle and nuanced, with even slight variations in the positioning of the fingers conveying different meanings.

In addition to its intricate footwork and hand gestures, Mohiniyattam is also known for its emphasis on facial expressions. Dancers use subtle movements of the eyebrows, eyes, and lips to convey different emotions and moods, adding depth and meaning to the performance.

The dance form is typically performed to Carnatic music, a classical music style from South India that is known for its complex rhythms and melodies. The themes of Mohiniyattam performances often revolve around love, devotion, and mythology, with dancers interpreting stories and characters from Hindu epics and other religious texts.

A Mohiniyattam dance performer wears a costume which typically comprises a white or cream-colored sari with a gold border. The sari is draped in a specific style that emphasizes the fluid and graceful movements of the dancer. The sari is draped in a manner that allows the feet and legs of the dancer to be visible, which is a crucial aspect of Mohiniyattam.

The dancer wears a short-sleeved blouse and this has to match the colour of the sair she has adorned for the performance. Typically, these drapes are bordered gold or silver with off-white or pure white in the body.

In addition to the sari and blouse, the Mohiniyattam dancer wears an assortment of traditional jewellery. Just like any traditional art form, this one also requires the dancer to wear anklets, bangles, head gear and chains. These may or may not be valuable. But this does form a crucial component of the entire dance performance.

The dancer’s hair is turned up in the form of a bun on one side. This bun is encircled by flowers and some jewellery too. Typically, jasmine flowers are used – the white colour also matches the outfit. The entire thing adds an element of grace to the performance.

Overall, the costume worn during Mohiniyattam dance performances is designed to accentuate the grace and beauty of the dancer.

Nowadays, Kerala Mohiniyattam and Kathakali are also being used in many weddings Events. They are primarily utilized in Hindu traditional weddings. During traditional Hindu weddings, the bride and groom desire a grand welcome entry to the wedding venue and stage. In South India, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Kerala Mohiniyattam is highly preferred for this purpose. Thus, Mohiniyattam in weddings holds significant importance in Kerala and South India as well.

Mohiniyattam has a long and rich history, dating back to the 16th century, and has since evolved into a popular and respected art form both in India and around the world.

Our melodia’s event planners in Kerala can customize the performance based on your event’s theme or requirements. It’s a great way to showcase Indian culture and add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your event.

We arrange for a Mohiniyattam dance performance by following these steps:

Finding a Mohiniyattam dancer or group: The first step is to find a Mohiniyattam dancer or group who can perform at the event. Since we are networked with several dance schools / academies, our planners will choose a group or dancer available at the time for a performance.

Negotiating the terms: Once a suitable dancer or group has been found, we will negotiate the terms of the performance. This includes discussing the date, time, duration, and fees for the performance.

Providing necessary information: Our experts will provide the dancer or group with any necessary information about the event, such as the theme, audience demographics, and performance space.

Arranging logistics: Thereafter, we make sure that the performance space is suitable for the dance and that all necessary equipment, such as sound systems and lighting, are in place. We also provide for the transportation, lodging, and meals.

Melodia Event Management is an expert event planner in Kerala. We come with several years of experience arranging successful Mohiniyattam dance performances that delight the audience and meet the goals of the event.