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Mohiniyattam - female classical solo dance of Kerala
Mohiniyattam is another folk art that is said to have been originated in Kerala. It is closely related to Bharathanatyam of Tamilnadu, which was originally called 'Dasiyattam'. Originated as the temple dance form of the Devadasis, Mohiniyattam is a graceful dance meant to be performed as a solo recital by women.
The term Mohiniyattam comes from the words Mohini meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and Attam meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. The word Mohiniyattam literally means dance of the enchantress.
The costume includes white sari embroidered with bright golden fabric at the edges. The dance follows the classical text of Hastha Lakshanadeepika, which has elaborate description of Mudras (gestural expressions by the hand and fingers).
