Jaganam Adavus: The Occult Origins of Mohiniyattam-54

How to perform Jaganam group of Adavus?

In the past few articles, we discussed the importance of Adavus in Mohiniyattam. We discussed the first group of adavus – Thaganam– and how to perform each of them in detail. Here, we explore the next set of adavus- Jaganam.

Jaganam Adavu 1

Stand in Aramandalam with left arm bent in Muzhuvrittam in front of chest with palm held in Mushti mudra facing down. Right arm must be outstretched towards the right side with palm in Mushti mudra facing upwards. For the chollu ‘Jagam’ tap the front part of the right foot while both palms are opened into hamsapaksham. Face and eyes are directed towards the right palm as shown in image 1.

For the chollu ‘Thanam Thari’ flip each of the palms to the opposite directions and pivot the right foot using the heel so that the right foot points forward as in Image 2. For the chollu ‘Nagam Thanam Thari’ repeat the above once again to the same side. Then the adavu is repeated on the right side

Jaganam Adavu 2

Stand in Aramandalam with left arm bent in Muzhuvrittam(full circle) in front of chest with Mushti mudra face down. Right arm must be outstretched towards the right side with Mushti mudra facing upwards as depicted in Image 1. For the chollu ‘Jagam’ pull the torso towards the left while the right foot is placed on its toe behind the left foot. Face and eyes are directed towards the right arm as shown in image 2.

For the chollu ‘Thanam Thari’ open the palms to Tripatakam mudra and flip them to the opposite directions. Return the right foot back to its original place in Aramandalam while the face and eyes are looking slightly towards the front left as shown in image 3. For the chollu ‘Nagam Thanam Thari’ close the palms again into Mushti mudra and repeat the above once again to the same side.

The next Jagam Thanam Thari, Nagam Thanam Thari’ should be done to the left side twice. Continue repeating on alternate sides remembering that the step is done twice to each side.

Jaganam Adavu 3

Stand in Aramandalam with left arm bent in muzhuvrittam in front of chest with mushti mudra face down. Right arm must be outstretched towards the right side with mushti mudra facing upwards as depicted in Image 1. For the chollu ‘Jagam’ pull the torso towards the left while the right foot is placed on its toe behind the left foot. Face and eyes are directed towards the right arm as shown in Image 2.

For the chollu ‘Thanam Thari’ flip each of the palms to the opposite directions and return the right foot back to its original place in Aramandalam while the face and eyes are looking slightly towards the front left as shown in image 3. For the chollu ‘Kum Thari Tha’ place the left hand on the hip and move the right arm from the right hip upwards and end with palm facing out as shown in the last three images. During this time the right foot is placed behind the left on its toe, the left foot is hit flat followed by placing the right foot back to its original position in Aramandalam next to the left.

Repeat to the left.

Jaganam Adavu 4

Stand in aramandalam with left arm bent in muzhuvrittam in front of chest with mushti mudra face down. Right arm must be outstretched towards the right side with mushti mudra facing upwards as depicted in Image 1. For the chollu ‘Jagam’ pull the torso towards the left while the right foot is placed on its toe behind the left foot. Face and eyes are directed towards the right arm as shown in Image 2. For the chollu ‘Thanam Thari’ flip each of the palms to the opposite directions and return the right foot back to its original place in Aramandalam while the face and eyes are looking slightly towards the front left as shown in image 3.

For the chollu ‘Kum Thari Tha’ extend the body and rise on both toes and spiral turn after dropping into a muzhumandalam. End the turn in Aramandalam facing forward with both arms bent in front of the chest as shown in the image.

Repeat the same to the left.