Kerala Vacation Tours - Kerala Cultural Dances - Kerala Mohiniattam Dance

Kerala Mohiniattam Dance

Mohiniattam is one of the major classical dance styles of India. A classical dance form of Kerala, Mohiniattam is performed by women only and is known for its graceful, almost seductive movements and simple but elegant costume.

The Mohiniattam dancer wears a cream or off-white colored sari with a border of gold brocade. The dancer's hair is gathered in a bun that is worn at the side of the head and decorated with jasmine flowers. Gold jewellery including necklaces, bangles, waistbands and anklets adorn the body of the dancer and their tinkling makes music as she dances.

Instruments such as the violin, veena and mridangam provide musical accompaniment to the Mohiniattam dancer, who describes episodes from the epics and legends through graceful steps, rhythmic movements of her arms and trained facial expressions. The Hastha Lakshandeepika, a classical text, is the basis for the expressive gestures of the hands and arms in Mohiniattam.

Prepare to be enchanted by the dance of the celestial enchantress, as you watch a Mohiniattam dance performance, when you travel to Kerala, with Kerala backwater.