History of Mohini Attam

A style exclusively performed by women, comes from the state of Kerala in southern India. The name comes from the myths which say that Vishnu assumed the form of a beautiful enchantress time and again in order to protect Truth.

There are many stories, the most popular one being the myth of the churning of the ocean. Once upon a time the gods and the demons churned the milky ocean to get the nectar of immortality. When the deity holding the jar of nectar appeared the demons managed to snatch it first which created a panic among the gods. Vishnu appeared in the form of a beautiful enchantress and extracted a promise from the demons that she would distribute the nectar equally between the gods and the demons. Dancing her way among the gods and the demons she cleverly gives the nectar of immortality only to the gods and thus preserves the world order. Thus the dance of Mohini attam is meant to symbolize this dance of protection and enchantment.

As early as the 18th century there are references to this style. The great poet scholar king Swati Tirunal belong to the 19th century encouraged musicians who composed songs for this style. After him the style was largely ignored till the advent of Kerala Kalamandalam by the great poet Vallathol. Mohini attam was then taught in the environs of Kalamandalam and today has its place among the other classical styles of India. The most well known performers are Dr. (Guru) Smt Kanak Rele and Guru Bharati Shivaji. All the photos used on this site are credited to Dr. Smt. Kanak Rele.