MOHINIYATTAM

Once again delving into the historical background of Mohiniyattam , the first reference of MOHINIYATTAM is found in VYAVAHARAMALA composed by Mazhamangalam Narayana Namboodiri , who lived in the 16th century.This artform is considered to be older than KATHAKALI the much acclaimed dance drama of Kerala.Another reference on MOHINIYATTAM can be found in the Ottanthullal {a semi-classical semi-folk dramatic artform ok Kerala} script Ghoshayatra authored by Kunjan Nambiar , during the second half of 18th century.Though Maharaja Swati Thirunnal was the torch bearer of this dance form , there was a sudden decline in the propagation of this after his period due to the feudalism prevalent in Kerala during the onset of British raaj.It was during the 1930 's when Kerala Kalamamdalam was instituted by the great poet Vallathol Narayana Menon that the art form gained some facelift under his patronage.