Mohiniattam originates from Kerala-South India. Mohiniattam literally means " Bewitching Woman". It is a name of Lord Vishnu in the guise of beautiful woman enchanting and appealing who seduced 'Asuras' to regain the 'Amrita of the God on the occasion of churning of the milky ocean.

While the asuras were quarrelling among themselves as to who should dring the amrita first, 'Mohini' appeared there. They gazed at her and gave the urn of amrita to apportion it among them. She entranced and cheated them by giving the whole amrita to the Gods.

Similarly Mohini helped Lord Shiva in destroying 'Bhasmasura' . Mohini infatuated him by her beauty par excellence and made him dance after entrancing him to a stance which caused his destruction.

Mohini is a dance of enchanters who causes havoc and destruction to the wicked and delight and pleasure to the good. Thus, Mohini stands for a kind of delusion, enchantment or infatuation resulting from the vision of a dazzling beauty.

The first reference ti Mohiniattam was found in 'Vyavaharamala' composed by 'Mazhamangalam Narayana Namboodri' in 16th century AD. In the 19 century AD, Swathi tirunal, the king of Travancore did much to encourage and stabilize this art.

It was poet Vallathol who revived it a nd gave a status in the modern time. The theme of Mohiniataam is devotion to God. Mohiniattam is named after mythological beauty because it is a solo performance given by a woman alone.

Mohiniattam would have died its natural death had it not been revived by the 'Kerala Kalamandalam' which was established in 1930. Mohiniattam is a dance style specially marked for its grace, fluidity, simple looking footwork and 'bhramaris' or the rotating rhythmic movement.

Accompaniments and costume

The accompaniments for Mohiniattam includes cymbals, madala, chenda and vocal support and veena. The costume is mostly white or cream white in color stitched out of a saree. The other adornments includes ankle bells and spray of jasmine flowers in the hair tied into a bun.