Build Cultural Bridges 

We would like to propagate this rare Ancient dance form from Kerala to global audiences because of it's unique representation of classical Indian art.

Collaborate with Artistes

 It is key that we expand the conventional interpretation of  this classical form.  Therefore we continue to develop and present innovative interdisciplinary works as we collaborate with multicultural artistes and cohorts.

Create Awareness of Feminine Power

The subject of all of our work is seeking the divine feminine. The feminine principle stands for connectedness and inclusion and is needed to help us regain balance. She must return in both men and women if we are to create a more peaceful and sustainable future.

Mohiniyattam is the dance of the Divine Enchantress.

And therefore, a powerful expression of the Sacred Feminine. By holding a mirror to femininity, it prods us to look at it from a contemporary perspective, and to discover and experience the very essence of it.

ABOUT

Vijayalakshmi is a world-renowned Indian classical dancer, an acclaimed exponent of Mohiniyattam, the graceful classical dance form from South India. She is also a choreographer, actress, speaker, feminist, writer & singer.

Daughter and disciple of Bharati Shivaji, Vijayalakshmi takes Mohiniyattam to higher levels by constantly exploring unchartered territory and expanding traditional boundaries. Vijayalakshmi celebrates both Indian and worldwide culture through unique innovative choreography, as clearly evidenced in her diverse productions. A recipient of several prestigious awards, including from the Sangeet Natak Academy, Vijayalakshmi continues to rejuvenate and evolve this ancient art form.

Vijayalakshmi is the Founder-Director of The Mohiniyattam Institute, Los Angeles, and Artistic-Director of the Center for Mohiniyattam, New Delhi, IndiaV

Read More About Vijayalakshmi

One of her aims is to see the evolution of Mohiniyattam – where it enjoys widespread appreciation, through collaborations with artistes from all over the world.

Her unique interpretation of the dance form resonates with contemporary universal relevance, destroying stereotypes to delve deeply into femininity and beyond. To her, it’s not just a traditional sacred dance form, but reflects her own journey and understanding of femininity as a woman.

Besides performing worldwide and teaching in Los Angeles, Vijayalakshmi has also been pursuing speaking engagements. She has lectured at UCLA, CSU Long Beach, Loyola Marymount University, Oxnard College, the Indian dance community, International Film festivals, and for non-profits engaged with women’s causes. Vijayalakshmi has a Masters degree in English Literature from Delhi University (Lady Sri Ram College).

MOHINIYATTAM BY
VIJAYALAKSHMI

Mohiniyattam, the classical dance form of Kerala in Southern India, takes its name from the mythical enchantress Mohini. According to ancient Indian legend, Vishnu, the Preserver, transformed himself into an alluring damsel to protect the Universe from evil.

Mohiniyattam is the dance of the Divine Enchantress and therefore a powerful expression of the Sacred Feminine. By holding a mirror to femininity, it prods us to delve deep, to discover & experience the very essence of it. In keeping with the essential feminine spirit of the dance-form, the technique of Mohiniyattam is characterised by a gentle fluidity.

It is a unique Indian classical dance form, rooted in the feminine spirit and holds great relevance to not just women across all ages and cultures, but also society at large. It resonates with great contemporary relevance, as it epitomizes values that can inspire and impact our lives in a direct and tangible way.

Mohiniyattam is one of the major dance forms of India and has achieved international recognition, predominantly due to the relentless efforts and contribution of legendary Guru’s such as Padmashri Bharati Shivaji, who is Vijayalakshmi’s mother & Guru as well.

SPEAKING TOPICS

Duration: 30-60 minutes

• Power of Femininity and Grace

• Art, Spirituality & World Peace within Femininity

• Indian Classical Dance Forms

• Art and Spirituality

• Femininity and Spirituality

• The Divine Feminine in Art

• Tantra in Indian Classical Dance

• Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Times

• The Power of Grace

• The Urgent Need for Femininity in the World

• The Sacred Feminine

PERFORMANCES

A few of her prominent productions include Unniarcha, inspired from Kalaripayattu, an Indian martial art form; Swan Lake, a unique synthesis of East and West, inspired by the great Russian composer Tchaikovsky; Paryapti, which draws upon the rich cultural ethos and musical traditions of the Bengal region of India; and Rain, inspired by the work of internationally acclaimed poet Sudeep Sen, this production brought together renowned artists from India and the US, such as Mac Quayle and Dhrupad exponent Wasiffuddin Dagar. Vijayalakshmi has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues including:

• The Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow
• The Khajuraho Festival, India
• Edinburgh International Festival
• The Lincoln Center, New York
• World Music Institute, New York (on Broadway)
• World Sacred Music Festival, Los Angeles
• Theatre de La Ville, Paris
• Radialsystem Theatre, Berlin

Vijayalakshmi has established The Mohiniyattam Institute in LA with the objective of widening the audience for it & presenting it at mainstream venues and International festivals, where it is acknowledged as a major Indian dance form and receives widespread recognition. She brings years of experience in performance, training, & presentation, enabling her to foster a greater international presence for the dance form. Her work has also been significant in bringing it to the notice of academia and indologists & for them to recognize that Mohiniyattam is at the forefront of India’s artistic heritage and present expression.

AWARDS

• 2020 – Regents’ Professor & Lecturers Program at UCLA

• 2014 – Awarded the Sangeet Natak Academy from Kerala.

• 2012 – Awarded the Women Achievers Award for Excellence in the Arts by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

• 2004 – Co-authored a book along with Guru Bharati Shivaji entitled Mohiniyattam, released by Abdul Kalam, President of India.

• 2003 – Received the Top Cultural Ambassador award from the Indian Institute of Marketing & Management (IMM), conferred by I.K. Gujral, the Prime-Minister of India, at New Delhi.

• 2002 – Recipient of a Fellowship from the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, (IGNCA) for a project entitled Exploring New Dimensions in Mohiniyattam

• 2001 – Recipient of a Fellowship from the Department of Culture, Government of India, for a project entitled Exploring the Art of Mohiniyattam.

• 1993 – Recipient of the Sanskriti Nritya Puraskar from Narasimha Rao, the Prime Minister of India.

BEYOND GRACE –

DOCUMENTARY FILM

This is a documentary feature film, made by LA based film-maker Sara Baur Harding - an intimate portrait of Vijayalakshmi and her mother-Guru Bharati Shivaji. Vijalakshmi has also sung for the film. The music composed by Emmy Awardee Mac Quayle, invigorates the dance and allows a new way to view the subject in a way that is not only personal but timely and relevant.

CARMEN – FILM

A film Directed by Sara and Urs Baur, the film features Vijayalakshmi performing Mohiniyattam to the Habanera from French composer Georges Bizet’s popular opera, Carmen. With high production standards, comprising a multi-national crew, the entire production was shot in a day at the Metabolic Studios in downtown Los Angeles. A unique musical score was composed by Oscar awardee Yuval Ron, weaving traditional Andalusian singing with operatic music

REGENTS’ LECTURESHIP – UCL

Vijayalakshmi has been selected for the prestigious Regents’ Professor and Lecturers program at UCLA for 2019-20. This coveted program brings to the University distinguished speakers who have pursued careers in arts, letters, sciences, or business substantially outside the academic profession, including James Baldwin, Sandra Day O’Connor, Sally Ride, VS Naipaul, Yo-Yo Ma, Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison, and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.

For thousands of years, grace and the principles of femininity have been suppressed all over the world, creating an imbalance and stagnation in our society, workplace and environment – while giving rise to greed, division, aggression and selfishness. By incorporating grace and the principles of femininity into our lives, we can all be empowered creating more harmony.

The most beautiful and powerful aspect of art is that has no boundaries or divisions, is all-encompassing and Universal. All geographical, political, economic, and cultural divisions are man made; this is not the way Nature operates. And it is significant to note that Nature functions on the principles of inter-connectedness and harmony, unfortunately discredited by society today.

We need to turn to Nature’s laws which also find Oneness, non-discrimination and cooperation, a parallel with the inherent nature of art – both underlining this point of oneness of humanity. Nature, especially in ancient spiritual traditions, including Indian wisdom traditions, is synonymous with divinity. She is revered as the Universal Mother, who is the Source of all that is manifested and who nurtures her baby unconditionally.

Testimonials

1. Bill Bissel – Director, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage,      Philadelphia, June 2009

“I have wanted to write since last month following the stunning experiences I had at your programs both here at Philadelphia and in New York at the Indian Consulate. I do regret not having the time after the program to say how profoundly your dancing touched me.
Especially at the Consulate, seeing your duet and how your bodies moved with each other, representing different stages of life : I felt living was being transcribed into the content of the dance. I am not sure how I can explain this revelation but it was deeply moving to sense the power of dance again through its connection to the
living body.

In all honesty I am afraid that seeing so much dance and working with artistes from so many genres and capacities, my own sensitivities become dulled and not easily roused. I was so refreshed by your work at both venues. “

2. Viji Prakash – Founder Director, Shakti Dance Company, Los Angeles, Jan 2018

3. Anurima Banerjee – Assistant Professor at World Arts and Cultures / Dance, UCLA, May 2016

“ It was such a pleasure to have you in our class and lead an amazing workshop. The students certainly enjoyed it, and it was a treat for me to watch you dance and teach the session. It was truly an honour to have you join us and share your knowledge with us…..”

She is an architect of the South Indian classical dance Mohiniattam, along with her mother Bharati Shivaji, and has had a major role to play in the postcolonial revival of the form. She's very well known internationally and has performed at major venues all across India and the globe, including the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia. What's great about her work is that she's investigating contemporary approaches to classical dance and has done inventive interpretations oftraditional material – choreographing Swan Lake in Mohiniattam, for instance, and challenging gender norms in the dance as well. She did a workshop here for one of my undergrad classes recently and it was very successful.

5. Shanthi Pillai, Assistant Proffesor Of Theatre Arts at CSU of Long Beach, May 2017

“Everyone was deeply moved by your performance. What a fabulous evening it was for me — and I mean very personally. I really loved the performance and was inspired by not only your mastery but what you are seeking to do with that vocabulary.”

6. Sara Baur-Harding, Documentary Film Maker from LA