Mohini: the feminine beauty

The ancient Indian literature described the feminine beauty at length in Sanskrit and other regional languages. Illustrations of feminine beauty in the art work remain the most preferred choice of artists of any time and place. This attractive and charming image of Mohini, the feminine beauty, has been beautifully carved in high relief. Mohini is standing under the architectural pavilion and the small hanging lamp gives an impression that perhaps she is in the temple. Mohini’s hair bun is on left hand side, which is garlanded by flowers and she is wearing ear ring, necklace, bangle and a lot of jewellery around forehead. Her ornamental lower garment, sari, has three tiered fan like decoration on the front side, and she covers the shoulder with chaddar, kind of a shawl. Tassels around the shoulder, hanging on both the sides reminds the traditional outfit of the Mohiniattam dancer. The slightly bend legs, raised right hand and down stretched left hand gives the impression that she is in a dancing pose. Mohiniattam dance is an age old dance form of Kerala, which is performed by females.