Acclaimed danseuse Vijayalakshmi captivated audiences during a Mohiniyattam workshop at the Festival of Tabla, emphasizing the dance form’s cultural significance and therapeutic qualities.
ALISO VIEJO, CA – Acclaimed danseuse Vijayalakshmi, the founder-director of The Mohiniyattam Institute in Southern California, engaged audiences during an introductory workshop on the classical Indian dance form at the Festival of Tabla. The event took place at the Soka Performing Arts Centre on August 16.
The Festival of Tabla, organized by Rupesh and Mona Kotecha, has been dedicated to promoting traditional Indian classical music, particularly the Tabla, since its inception in 2017.
Vijayalakshmi expressed her delight at the turnout, noting that the 175-seat Black Box Theatre was filled with a diverse audience. Attendees actively participated in a Q&A session, posing thought-provoking questions about Mohiniyattam and its cultural significance.
During the workshop, Vijayalakshmi emphasized that Mohiniyattam is deeply rooted in femininity and the divine feminine. She highlighted the dance form’s healing, therapeutic, and empowering qualities, particularly for women of all ages and varying levels of dance experience. She described Mohiniyattam as anti-aging, drawing parallels between its slow, meditative movements and Chinese martial arts such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong.
“The movements are energetically restorative,” she explained. “The elaborate hand gestures, or mudras, help release stuck emotions, reduce stress, and contribute to overall well-being—mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical.”
Participants were given the chance to experience the dance firsthand, learning the techniques and spirit of Mohiniyattam through guided practice. Many attendees reported leaving the workshop with a deeper appreciation for Indian classical dance and a renewed sense of personal well-being.
Vijayalakshmi also underscored the importance of introducing U.S. audiences to a broader spectrum of Indian dance traditions. She encouraged open-minded engagement with the rich cultural heritage of India, advocating for a greater understanding and appreciation of its diverse artistic expressions.
As the workshop concluded, the positive feedback from participants reflected Vijayalakshmi’s success in not only teaching the dance form but also in fostering a deeper connection to its cultural roots.
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