Gati in classical form of Mohiniāṭṭam

[Full title: Deśī forms in Kerala (2): Gati in classical form of Mohiniāṭṭam]

Mohiniāṭṭam is known as the dance of an enchantress. This style of dance belongs to kaiśikī vṛtti, which is the graceful style as given in the Nāṭyaśāstra.^[1] This is performed by females and the movements can be taken as sukumāra prayoga, which is a gentle presentation. The basic posture is the feet placed two and half inches apart with the knee bent and turned out, this is similar to the vaiṣṇava sthāna of the Nāṭyaśāstra.^[2] The basic waist exercises are similar to that of the Nāṭyaśāstra like rotating the torso (lolita),^[3] which is known as chuzhippu in mohiniāṭṭam [mohiniāṭṭa] style.^[4]

The basic movements are called aḍavus named as:

1. thagana,
2. jagaṇa,
3. dhagana and
4. sammiśra.^[5]

Atibhaṅga is the swaying movement of the torso from side to side, which creates serpentine sway of the waist. This is also known as āndholikā. The gait of the dancer is performed based on these movements. The gati based on the rhythmic footwork is not seen instead, there are soft and sliding movements of the feet. There are many continuous movements, one movement leading to another. This is similar to the recakas of the Nāṭyaśāstra^[6] where Bharata says these are to be executed in between the karaṇas. The cārī in Mohiniāṭṭam is done mostly with the toe touching the floor. The wave like movement of the body is seen in the martial art of kalaripayaṭṭu. Thus, the whole dance form has lāsya-based movements and gaits.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Dances of India. Mohiniattam.p. 47.

[2]:

Infra.2.4.3.1.

[3]:

N..S.IV.165.

[4]:

Dances of India. Mohiniaṭṭam.p.50.

[5]:

Classical dances of India-Saroja Vaidyanathan.p.129

[6]:

Infra 1.7.9.