Learn All Levels of Mohiniyattam Online

These classes are designed in six levels. Those who wish to start afresh can start with level 1 and those who wish to resume from any stage of their learning can get their learning journeys customised. The following are the levels: 

Level 1 - The basics of classical dance are taught. This includes Soushthavam (correct body posture for dance), the Mandala positions or Stances, Sthanakas, Padas (animal movement patterns), Eye & Eyebrow exercises, Neck exercises and Basic Hastas or Hand Symbols.

Level 2 - Body movement patterns called 'Adavus' are taught here, starting from flexibility exercises called 'Chuzhippus'. This will have subdivisions as Chuvatusadhakam, Tagamam A, Tagamam B, Jaganam, Dhaganam, Sammishran, Muttayippu & Vayttaris.

Level 3 - A detailed study of the basic 24 Hand symbols (Hastas) of Mohiniyattam, as described in the text 'Hastalakshanadeepika'. Also, a few extra usages of these symbols as followed in other relevant texts relating to the style of Mohiniyattam.

Level 4 - Theory parts relevant to Mohiniyattam, including the basic Anga Upanga terms and usages as mentioned in the text Natyasastra.

Level 5 - Tala or Rhythm patterns as observed in the Carnatic style of Music as well as the Sopana style of Music, both of which are used in Mohiniyattam.

Level 6 - Choreographies which are the beginning stage of solo or group stage performances. This level can be taught only to a student who has covered all the previous levels.

About the Teacher: Vinaya Narayanan is a senior disciple of Padmashree Bharati Shivaji and has performed Mohiniyattam extensively both within the country and abroad. She started her training in Bharatanatyam at the age of five under Kalamandalam Vinodini. Later she went on to study Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi. At the age of fifteen, she chose Mohiniyattam as her field of specialized study and went on to train under her present Guru, Padmashree Bharati Shivaji. 

Vinaya is a recipient of the scholarship for Mohiniyattam, sponsored by the Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India and works closely with Guru Bharati Shivaji in the activities of the Centre for Mohiniyattam. 

Vinaya’s major performances include the ones in Music Academy, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha and Narada Gana Sabha in Chennai, Teen Murti Bhavan and Republic Day Celebrations in Delhi, Taramati Bardan in Hyderabad, Ananya Dance Festival in Delhi, the South East Asian countries of Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia on an official visit of the Vice President of India to these countries, at Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and at St. Petersburg in Russia, at New York, Connecticut and Philadelphia in the U.S.A., KSNA Programs in Kerala, Konarak Festival, Hampi Festival, Programs in Japan & Germany, Make in India Program at Germany etc. 

Vinaya is a dedicated & passionate teacher as well as a performer. She believes in a holistic approach towards learning classical art forms and therefore encourages students to learn allied art forms also, in order to understand the basics of the art form.