Nature metaphors in Kalyanikutty Ammas Mohiniyattam body aesthetics
Ecofeminism; lived body; nature metaphor; poetic body
Mohiniyattam is a classical dance tradition from the state of Kerala in India, which is bestowed with a feminine identity. Scholars have theorised this feminine identity as self-enforced, constructed and regional. Unique to Mohiniyattam is the inherent relationship with nature. Nature association can be observed in the tradition of Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, one of the revivalists of Mohiniyattam. This paper will closely read the dance manual Mohiniyattam: Charithravum Aattaprakaaravum by Kalyanikutty Amma, focussing on Ammas use of nature metaphor for body movement. Dance theorist Sondra Fraleighs ideation of the lived and poetic body will be used to understand the experience and expression of nature as a movement quality. Further, Kavya Krishnas theorisation of gender performativity in Mohiniyattam and the discussions on regionality and naturality in movement will bring into effect an ecofeminist reading of Ammas dance aesthetics. This paper will also examine the metaphorical nomenclature that constructs nature as a feminine quality in the body movements and aesthetics of Mohiniyattam. 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2025.2524146 https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105009482125?origin=resultslist
Krishnan D., Department of English and Cultural Studies, Christ University, Bangalore, India; Narayana S., Department of Law, Christ University, Bangalore, India