Learn Mohiniyattam (Basic Steps for Beginners) - Chari (Vayyam) - Gopika Varma_(360p)

Mohiniyattam, also spelled Mohiniattam (English-Female Devils Dance) (Malayalam: മോഹിനിയാട്ടം), is a classical dance form from Kerala, India. It is one of the eight Indian Classical Dance forms recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. 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". There are two stories of the Lord Vishnu disguised as a Mohini. In one, he appears as Mohini to lure the asuras (demons) away from the amrita (nectar of immortality) obtained during the churning of the palazhi (ocean of milk and salt water).