Swetha Mangalath is a Mohiniyattam performer, researcher, academic, and art journalist, holding a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication and Classical Dance, and a PhD in Fine Arts. Her areas of specialization include Performance Studies, Media Studies, Dance Aesthetics, and Cultural History. Swetha has published research papers in academic journals and frequently contributes articles and columns to various print and digital media platforms. She has previously served as a faculty member of Journalism and Mass Communication at St. Aloysius College (Autonomous) in Mangalore, India.
'Reinvented and Reframed Aesthetics: Exploring Choreographic Innovations in Mohiniyattam'
"This paper aims to delve into the journey of Mohiniyattam, from its period of reinvention in the early 1950s to the present time. Classical art forms in post-colonial India have emerged as potent agents of nationalism. Through institutionalization and codification of pedagogy and performance patterns, several Indian traditional dance forms achieved the esteemed title of 'classical.' However, Mohiniyattam, unlike other classical dance forms, faced a unique challenge due to its secular background and was often discredited by the public who deemed its repertoire to be seductive in nature. To address this issue, the art form underwent a reinvention process, shedding the alleged 'vulgarity' and embracing a redefined discipline in performance techniques, attire, and repertoire. Over time, the reinvented form of Mohiniyattam underwent further reframing in order to gain acceptance and be embraced by society. This paper aims to explore the changes that different schools have made to the tradition of Mohiniyattam in terms of performance techniques and choreography. The study takes an exploratory approach, examining the expansion of the repertoire, shifts in representation styles, and the broader reframing of aesthetics which ultimately aimed to establish a regional, national, and global identity for the art form."