Dhaganam Adavu: The Occult Origins of Mohiniyattam- 59

How to perform and practice the Dhaganam group of adavus in Mohiniyattam?

In the last few series, we were discussing the thaganam and Jaganam set of adavus in detail. Here we are exploring the next group of adavas, Dhaganam.

Dhaganam Adavu – 1

x Dha

1 Nuta

2 Num

9 Tari

x Dhi

v Tadha

x Nam

v Tari

Commence the adavu by standing in aramandalam with arms bend in muzhuvrittam with hamsasya hastha held in front of chest. For ‘Dha’ sway the right palm towards the right in hamsapaksha hastha as you step the right foot as shown in image (Note that the palms point downwards and then swing to the right).

During this time the torso swings to the left. For ‘Nu’ sway the right palm back towards the left while swinging the torso to the right. During this time place the left foot in front of the right and shift the weight of the body onto the left foot. The right foot that is now behind the left should slowly lift to its toes. For ‘Thanam’ rotate the right palm back to hamsasya mudra in front of the chest. For ‘thari’ place the right foot next to the left and sink down into an aramandalam position. Repeat the adavu to the left side.

Dhaganam Adavu – 2

x Dha

1 Nuta

2 Num

9 Tari

x Dhi

v Tadha

x Nam

v Tari

Commence the adavu by standing in aramandalam with arms bent in muzhuvrittam with palms held in tripathaka hastha; one palm held over the other with fingertips touching each other. For ‘Dha’ , stamp the right foot up (as shown in image). Step the right foot diagonally back towards the right as the palm begins to separate from this point forward.

For ‘thanam’ step the left foot on its toes behind the right. Slowly begin to flip the palms as you continue to separate them. For ‘Thari’ Step the right foot next to the left and bend into a diagonal aramandalam stance. The right palm is held in front of the chest facing up, arm bent in muzhuvrittam with the torso bent towards the right side. The left arm is held in a mukaal vrittam, straight out, towards the left side of the body. Repeat the entire sequence to the left side for ‘Dhi Tha Dhanam Thari’.

Dhaganam Adavu – 3

x Dha

1 Nuta

2 Num

9 Tari

x Dhi

v Tadha

x Nam

v Tari

Commence the adavu by standing in aramandalam with right arm bend in muzhuvrittam and the hand held in hamsasya hastha in front of the chest. The left arm is held in dolam towards the left side of the body. For ‘Dha’, sink the body, stamp the right foot on the same spot as the torso bends towards the left side and the right palm changes the mudra to ardhachandran. For ‘nu’ stamp the right foot a little away from the earlier spot. Stamp the left foot on its toes behind the right for ‘nu’. For ‘Tha-ri’ jump both feet slightly on its toes and then stamp only the right foot back in samam (flat) whilst retaining the left foot behind on its toes.

During the course of doing the footwork explained above, the right arm moves in a Ú’ shape from the left side of the body to the right and ends in hamsasya hastha next to the right eye as shown in the image. The body swings along with the arms to create a ‘U’ shape. Repeat the same footwork on the left side, starting with the left foot this time for ‘Dhi Tha Dhanam thari’. The right arm moves back using the same pathway traversed earlier, this time ending the movement in hamsasya hastha near the left eye.