The Occult Origins of Mohiniyattam

Aruti adavus or kalashachuvadukal are usually performed at the end of an adavu or an abhinaya sequence.

We discussed aruti adavus in the last two parts. Here we are discussing how to perform the next set of Thei Thai Thi thi thei aruti adavus in Mohiniyattam.

Adavu – 1

Stand in aramandalam with arms in Muzhuvrittam and palms held in Tripathaka mudra and facing down in front of chest. For ‘Thei’ flip the right palm open, facing upwards and stamp the right foot in place. Bend the torso towards the right at this time. For the second ‘Thei’ flip the right palm downwards and open the left palm to face upwards. Stamp the left foot on the spot and bend the torso towards the left. Place the right foot on its heel slightly in front (keep the knees bent while doing this) for ‘Thi’.

The right arm is stretched towards the front with the palm facing upwards while the left arm is still held in Muzhuvrittam with palm facing down. For ‘Thi’ stamp the left foot on the spot and start to bring the right arm back to Muzhuvrittam. Stamp and bring the right foot back to its original position for ‘Thei’. At this time flip both palms to the opposite direction in Muzhuvrittam.

Repeat the entire sequence to the left.

Adavu –2

Commence the adavu by standing in aramandalam and both arms held in Muzhuvrittam in Mushti mudra in front of the chest. Stamp the right foot and then the left for ‘Thei Thei’. Sway the arms in towards the centre along with the torso, moving from right side towards the front as shown in the video. Note that the right palm is held in Mushti facing upwards and the left facing downwards.

Place the right foot on its heel slightly in front (keep the knees bent while doing this) for ‘Thi’. Open the palms to Tripathaka and begin to stretch the arms softly towards the front. Stamp the left foot on the spot for ‘Thi’. Stamp and bring the right foot back to its original position for ‘Thei’. At this time bring the arms back to Muzhuvrittam and flip both palms to the opposite direction followed by changing the mudra back to Mushti.

Repeat the entire sequence to the left.

Adavu –3

Stand in aramandalam with Hamsasya mudra held in Muzhuvrittam in front of the chest. Stamp the right foot for ‘Thei’ and lift it softly off the floor and then place it back in the same place for the next ‘Thei’. The foot makes a soft circle in between the two stamps as shown in the video.

At this time open the right palm to Hamsapaksham, rotating it through the wrist and changing it back to hamsasyam. Place the right foot on its heel slightly in front (keep the knees bent while doing this) for ‘Thi’. Open the right palm to Ardhachandran and shake it ever so slightly. Stamp the left foot on the spot for ‘Thi’. Stamp and bring the right foot back to its original position for ‘Thei’. Change the right hand’s mudra back to Hamsasyam.

Repeat the entire sequence to the left.

Adavu –4

Stand in aramandalam with Hamsasya mudra held in Muzhuvrittam in front of the chest. Stamp the right foot for ‘Thei’. Change the mudra of the right hand to Ardhachandran and begin to move the arm downwards as showing in the image. Stamp the right foot a little further away towards the right side for the next ‘Thei’. Move the right arm towards the right side upwards in an arc as showin in image. Stamp the left foot, bringing it closer to the right, followed by the right and then the left again for ‘Thi Thi Thai’.

The arm continues moving in an arc through the right side and then above the head and finally ends in Hamsasya Hastha mudra in front of the chest. The body and torso matches the soft arc like movements of the arm.

Repeat the entire sequence to the left.