Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mohiniyattam and its features
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
The Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed university for arts and culture, has unanimously lifted gender restrictions allowing boys for learning Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form.
About Mohiniyattam
| Description | |
| Name Meaning | Mohini – female enchantress avatar of Vishnu;
Aattam – rhythmic motion or dance (Malayalam) |
| Roots | Natya Shastra, ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on performance arts |
| Style | Lasya Style – delicate, eros-filled, and feminine |
| Performers | Traditionally women, but men also perform in contemporary times |
| Music | Includes Carnatic music, singing, and enactment of plays through dance |
| Language | Manipravalam : a Malayalam-Sanskrit hybrid |
| Posture | Parted feet, gentle swaying of body, soft footwork synchronized with music beats |
| Gestures | Follow the classical text of Hastha Lakshanadeepika with elaborate mudras (hand gestures) |
| Costumes | Plain white or off-white sarees with golden brocade, pleated sheets for freedom of movement, adorned with jewellery |
| Accessories | Jewellery on fingers, wrists, neck, and ears, ankle bells (for female performers), dhotis and similar accessories (for male performers) |
| Makeup | Natural with brilliant red lips, tikka (Gobi) on forehead, lined eyes |
| Music | Various rhythms and compositions in Manipravalam, accompanied by instruments like Mridangam, Idakka, flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam |
| Ragas | Rendered in the Sopana Style, a slow melodic style rooted in the Natya Shastra |
PYQ:
2012: How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?
- Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
- Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Practice MCQ:
Which of the following statements about Mohiniyattam is not true?
- Mohiniyattam derives its name from “Mohini,” the female enchantress avatar of Vishnu, and “Aattam,” meaning rhythmic motion or dance in Malayalam.
- Its roots can be traced back to the Natya Shastra, an ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on performance arts.
- Mohiniyattam is characterized by the Tandava style, known for its vigorous movements.
- Performances of Mohiniyattam typically include enactment of plays through dance, accompanied by singing and Carnatic music.
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