Mohiniyattam performance by Laxmi Kurup & Noopura Dance Company on May 16, 2009 from 6:30PM to 7:30PM

Laxmi Kurup and her troupe will be performing Ganesha Stuti, Padam and Thillana in Mohiniyattam style.

Mohiniyattam is a traditional dance form Kerala, India. It is extremely graceful dance form meant to be performed as a solo recital by women. The term Mohiniyattam comes from the words "Mohini" meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and "aattam" meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. The word "Mohiniyattam" literally means "dance of the enchantress".

The vocal music of Mohiniyattam involves variations in rhythmic structure known as chollu. The lyrics are in Manipravalam, a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam. The Mohiniyattam dance is performed to this accompaniment by the subtle gestures and footwork of the danseuse. The performer uses the eyes in a very coy yet sensual manner, the purpose being to enchant the mind without enticing the senses.