First Couples in mohiniyattam

RLV Anand and Jaya Anand are the first couples who performed mohiniyattam as a couple dance in kerala. Mohiniyattam, the female classical solo dance of Kerala, is the dance of the Mohini, the celestial enchantress of Hindu mythology. The dance is based on Hastha Lakhsana Deepika, the treatise on hand gestures, and its lyrics are in Manipravala, a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam languages. Mohiniyattam usually deals with the themes of love and devotion. The slow, swaying movements ofMohiniyattam along with subtle facial expressions give it an identity different from that of the other classical dance forms of India. 

Best choreographer in kerala

Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing". A choreographer is one who creates choreographies by practicing the art of choreography. Rlv Anand is famed as one of the leading dancers in Kerala. A competent performer, choreographer and teacher.

Famous Classical Dancers

Famous Classical Dancers

The term "Classical" (Sanskrit: "Shastriya") was introduced by Sangeeth Natak Acadami to denote the Natya sahastra-based performing art styles. The Classical dance form performed usually describes a story between the good and the evil. As the entire dance is presented in a dramatic manner nritta it enforces clean facial expressions and mudra or hand gestures to narrate a story and to demonstrate certain concepts such as objects, weather, nature and emotions. Thus, the Classical Indian dance is also known as Natya. Even though the art of Natya includes nritta or dance proper, Natya has never been limited to dancing and includes singing and abinaya. These features are common to all of the Indian classical styles. In the margi form, Nritta is composed of karanas, while desi nritta consists mainly of adavus.

Famous Mohiniyattam dancers

Mohiniyattam is a dance form said to have originated in Kerala. It is closely related to Bharathanatyam of Tamil Nadu, which was originally called 'Dasiyattam'. Originated as the temple dance performed by Devadasis, it portrays feminine love in its myriad forms - carnal, devotional and maternal- with accent more on Lasya and Bhava. In the main items Cholkettu, Padavarnam and Padam, Mudras and facial expressions are more important than the rhythmic steps. Costumes and ornaments of Mohiniyattam have much in common with female characters of Koodiyattam and Kathakali.

Once Mohiniyattam was performed only in Temple’s premises and royal courts. The first reference to Mohiniyattam is found in 'Vyavaharamala' composed by Mazhamangalam Narayanan Namboodiri, of 16th century AD. Major contributions to this art form were given by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, Irayimman Thampi and Kuttikunju Thankachi.

After Swathi Thirunal's period there was a downfall of Mohiniyattam. It somehow degenerated into eroticism to satisfy the Epicurean life of a few provincial satraps and landlords. The renowned Malayalam poet Vallathol revived it and gave it a status in modern times through Kerala Kalamandalam which is presently doing its best for the development and popularity of Mohiniyattam. Compared most other dance forms, Mohiniyattam gives more importance to gestural and facial acting. The Mudras (hand gestures) are almost always same as those employed in Kathakali. The artists try to enact the lyrics almost in its entirety, like in Kathakali.

Famous Bharatanatyam dancers