Now that we have learnt and practised all the 14 Thaganams, we shall now go on to the next set of Mohiniyattam Adavus called the "Jaganams". Like I've mentioned before, Jaganams are adavus which begins with the syllable 'Ja". These are 6 in number. Please be noted that Tripathaka is constant in all the Jaganam Adavus.
JAGANAM - I
Chollu: JAGAMTHANAM THARINAGAM THANAMTHARI
Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam with the right hand stretched to the side palming facing up and left hand near the chest palm facing down. (Both hands -Tripathaka)
JAGAMTHA - Turn the right foot to the right side without lifting the heel. Eyes should be looking straight above the right hand.
NAM THARI - Bring the right foot to the original position again without lifting the heel. Eyes and face should be facing in front. Right palm turns and faces down. Left palm turns and faces up.
NAGAM THA - Stretch the left hand to the left side(palm facing up) and bring the right hand(palm facing down)near the chest.Turn the left foot to the left side without lifting the heel. Eyes should be looking straight above the left hand.
NAMTHARI - Bring the left foot to the original position again without lifting the heel. Eyes and face should be facing in front. Left palm turns and faces down. Right palm turns and faces up.
JAGANAM - II
Chollu: JAGAMTHANAM THARI KUMTHARI THA - NAGAM THANAMTHARI KUMTHARI THA
Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam with the right hand stretched to the side palming facing up and left hand near the chest palm facing down. (Both hands -Tripathaka)
JAGAMTHANAM THARI - Like the 1st Jaganam
KUMTHARI - Raise the right hand slightly , get up and then sit in Mukhalmandalam and turn around to the left side. Eyes must follow the right hand.
THA - Raise the leg slightly and keep it back in the original position. Eyes should be in Samam.
NAGAM THANAMTHARI KUMTHARI THA - The entire Adavu is repeated on the left side.
JAGANAM - III
Chollu: JAGAMTHANAM THARI KUMTHARI THA - NAGAM THANAMTHARI KUMTHARI THA
Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam with the right hand stretched to the side palming facing up and left hand near the chest palm facing down. (Both hands -Tripathaka)
JAGAMTHANAM THARI - Like the 1st Jaganam
KUM - Place the right foot near behind the left foot on the toes . The right hand is moved in a concave arched motion slowly.
THARI - Stamp the left foot slightly. Hands start moving up above the head.
THA - Stamp the right leg and come to Aramandalam position, placing the right hand above the head with palm facing up. Eyes should be looking at hand. Body should be slanted slightly to the left.
NAGAM THANAMTHARI KUMTHARI THA - The entire Adavu is repeated on the left side.
During the entire Adavu, eyes must follow the hand that is moving in the concave motion.
JAGANAM - IV
Chollu: JAGAMTHANAM THARI KUMTHARI THA
Starting Posture: Muzhumandalam with both hands holding Tripathaka facing down near the chest
JAGAMTHA - Sit in Muzhumandalam with both hands holding Tripathaka facing down near the chest and slowly start stretching out the hands in a semi - circular motion.
NAM THARI - Get up quickly from Muzhumandalam onto right leg placed diagonally in front to the right side bending the right knee while the left leg is stretched back diagonally on the toes and knees straight. Right hand should be stretched diagonally in front on the right side slightly above the head and left hand should be stretched diagonally backwards placed above the left leg below the waist. Both hand hold changes to Hamsasya. Body and eyes should follow the movement of the right hand .
THARI KUMTHARI THA - The entire Adavu is repeated on the left side.
This Adavu is also known as the Shalabham Adavu . Shalabham means "butterfly". The hands of the dancer moves gracefully like wings of a butterfly, hence the name "Shalabham"".
The last 2 Jaganams are slightly different from the above 4. The above 4 are considered to be of the same series. Hence the last series of Jaganams shall be published in the next post.
