‘Taal Connect’ – the brainchild of Suman Sarawgi and Sangeeta Dudhoria- presented Mohiniyattam practitioner Vijaylakshmi in a performance at Kolkata, to delve deep into the rich cultural heritage of India.
In an interview, dancer Vijaylaksmi described Mohiniyattam as an exquisitely graceful dance form, predominantly lasya in style. It originates from the concept of Mohini, who is the one who enchants. Besides having a rich technique of seamlessly merging movements, it is influenced by the complex abhinaya of the dance-drama traditions like Koodiyattam and Kathakali.
What is your contributtion to the form?
I was inspired to create choreographic works from a pan-Indian and global perspective, incorporating multicultural music and concepts. My first choreographic work Unniarcha was from a real life story of Unniarcha, who knew Kalaripayyatu, and overcame obstacles in quest of spiritualism, which was a departure from Sringara rasa practised by Mohiniyattam dancers to Veer rasa. Swan Lake in Mohiniyattam style presented at the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow and the Conservatory in St. Petersburg, where Tchaikovsky studied music and Paryapti, where I used the musical traditions of Bengal and Kerala, besides exploring Tantrik concepts and its social implications, powerfully exemplified through the Durga Puja rituals, were major landmarks.
How important are looks in Mohiniyattam?
While looks are essential for Mohiniyattam, like any other dance form, it really goes beyond the physical realm. However, at a practical level, looks and the fitness level of the dancer are very important to be able to delineate the movements and do justice.
Which are some of your favourite numbers and why?
I love the ashtapadis from Jayadeva's Geeta Govindam, because of its bhakti Shringara, where the human and the Divine merge. Also the musical rendering, as done at the Guruvayoor temple in Kerala, in the regional style known as Sopana is indeed divine. I feel that this music is lyrical. It is in complete sync with the quintessential spirit of Mohiniyattam.
