- Mohiniyattam is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The word Mohini means a maiden who steals the heart of the onlooker.
- It is performed by women.
- The dance movements are graceful and the costumes are sober and attractive.
- Mohiniyattam follows the Hastha Lakshanadeepika, a textbook for Mudras.
- Mohiniyattam involves delicate footsteps and subtle expressions.
- The vocal music for Mohiniyattam is classical Carnatic.
- The basic dance steps of Mohiniyattam are the Adavus – Taganam, Jaganam, Dhaganam and Sammisram.
- Mohiniyattam maintains a realistic makeup and simple dressing.
- The entire technique in Mohiniyattam is of a graceful, gliding movement of the body, a circular use of the torso and a revolving in the half-bent position with the toe and heel used in a flowing rhythmic structure.