Origin:
This dance form comes from south India from the state of Karnataka. The word mihini means enchantress.
Women were never allowed to perform Kathakali, the vigorous male dance-drama from. Therefore, Mohini Attam is the feminine counterpart of Kathakali.
It is said that, at the time of the churning of the milky ocean, the gods and the demons all rushed towards the bowl of nectar. In the scuffle the demons seized the bowl of nectar and ran away with it. It is said that, suddenly there appeared from nowhere, a woman of extraordinary beauty! She promised to distribute the nectar equally among the gods and the demons. she began to give a portion of it to each of the Gods. Whenever she came to the demons she pretended to pour the nectar into their outstretched palms, but in fact never gave them a drop! As swiftly as she had appeared, she also disappeared. It was none other than Vishnu himself. It is this Mohini that the female dancer in Kerala gets her name from.
Features:
Mohini attam has just began to be accepted outside kerela. Therefore one is starting to find instruments that are normally associated with Bharat Natyam (e.g., mridangam, vina, venu). However more traditional forms use traditional drums called shuddha madalam and edakka (uddaku).
The Tala or system of rhythm in Kerala is unique. Special mention can be made of Pancha Kumbha Tala - which are a combination of Five patterns - the five representing the five flowery arrows or Manmatha - the God of love.
Famous dancers:
Dr. (Guru) Smt Kanak Rele and Guru Bharati Shivaji, Ms. Kanaka Rele, Ms. Bharati Shivaji, Guru Thankamani Kutti, Pratima Gouri are some of the most famous Mohiniattam dancers.