Samishrams (5 to 7) or Finishing Adavus or Theermanams of Mohiniyattam

These Samisrams has been choreographed by Smt.Kalyanikutty Amma in the format of a Theermanam. The word Theermanam means to conclude. Theermanam are hence known as they are done to culminate a dance sequence or jathi.

SAMISHRAM-V or FINISHING ADAVU -I

Chollu: THLANKU DHINA THOM
              THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA DHINA THOM
              THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA DHINA THLANKU DHINA THOM
              THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA DHINA THLANKU DHINA THOM
              THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA DHINA THOM
              THLANKU DHINA THOM


 This Adavu doesn't necessarily have to be performed exactly like mentioned in the Chollu. The Adavu can be divided into parts accordingly. For e.g. it can be done as 

THLANKU DHINA THOM

THLANKU DHINA THOM

                                                                    THLANKU DHINA THOM

But while learning it is taught as a combination mentioned in the Chollu and later while choreographing an item, they maybe divided into parts or done as a whole as required.

I shall divide and explain each part as an individual Adavu. Hence shall explicate as done on the right side.

Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandi posture with both hands near chest holding Hamsasya

A) THLANKU DHINA THOM

THLANKU - Stamp the right leg . 

DHI  - Change posture to Kaalmandalam while placing the right heel diagonally to the right side . 

NA - While remaining in the same position as DHI , stamp the left leg.

THOM - Bring back the right leg to previous position and change posture to Aramandi. 

During the entire course of the Adavu, rotate right hand at the wrist and change from Hamsasya to Tripathaka  and come back to Hamsasya at the end of the Adavu. Move body and eyes   along with direction of the hand.

B)   THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA DHINA THOM

 THLANKU DHINA - Exactly like  in A without THOM but bring back right hand to Hamsasya. 

THARIKITA - Change posture to Kaalmandalam while slightly lifting the right leg and placing it a little away on to the right side diagonally. Change the right hand to Ardhachandra and place it parallel to the right foot opposite the knee. Body should bent towards the right leg and eyes should the right hand. 

 DHINA - Standing in the same position as THARIKITA  , stamp the left leg.

THOM - Come back to starting posture by bringing back the right leg near the left leg. Body, head and eyes should be in Samam.

C)   THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA DHINA THLANKU DHINA THOM

THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA DHINA -  Exactly like  in B

THLANKU DHINA THOM - Exactly like  in A


I shall explain the sequence in which the Adavu is done according to the Chollu given initially.

• A - on the right side
• B - on the left side
• C - on the right side
• C - on the left side
• B  - on the right side
• A - on the left side

The purpose of this is that the dancer will be able to perform the Adavu effortlessly in any sequence as per requirement. Be it AAA or ABC or CBA etc.

SAMISHRAM-VI or FINISHING ADAVU -II

Chollu: THLANKU DHINA THOM
              THARIKITA  THLANKU DHINA THOM  
              THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA  DHINA THOM
              THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA  DHINA THOM
              THARIKITA  THLANKU DHINA THOM
              THLANKU DHINA THOM

Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandi posture with right hand near chest holding Hamsasya and left hand on the waist.

Just like the previous Theermanam, this Adavu can also be performed dividing into parts or as a set. I shall explain dividing them into parts as done on the right side.

A) THLANKU DHINA THOM  (THAI DHI THI THAI)

THLANKU (THAI) - Stamp the right leg . Move the right hand in a semi-circular motion from the chest to above the head placed diagonally. Move  body,head and eyes along with the hand. 

DHI NA THOM - Do normal DHI THI THAI with the legs. Move the right hand and place it near the navel while changing from Hamsasya to Ardhachandra (pointing down) .


B)    THARIKITA THLANKU DHINA THOM  (THAI THAI DHI THI THAI)

THARIKITA THLANKU (THAI  THAI ) - Stamp the right leg  and left leg one after the other. Move the right hand in a semi-circular motion from the chest to above the head placed diagonally. Move  body,head and eyes along with the hand. 

DHI NA THOM - Do normal DHI THI THAI with the legs. Move the right hand and place it near the navel while changing from Hamsasya to Ardhachandra (pointing down) .

C)    THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA  DHINA THOM  (THAI THAI THAI DHI THI THAI)

THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA (THAI  THAI THAI)  -  Stamp the right leg  ,then the left leg and again the right leg one . Move the right hand in a semi-circular motion from the chest to above the head placed diagonally. Move  body,head and eyes along with the hand. 

DHI NA THOM - Do normal DHI THI THAI with the legs. Move the right hand and place it near the navel while changing from Hamsasya to Ardhachandra (pointing down) .

I shall explain the sequence in which the Adavu is done according to the Chollu given initially.

• A - on the right side
• B - on the left side
• C - on the right side
• C - on the left side
• B  - on the right side
• A - on the left side

SAMISHRAM-VII or FINISHING ADAVU -III

Chollu: THLANKU DHINA THOM
              THARIKITA  THLANKU DHINA THOM  
              THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA  DHINA THOM
              THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA  DHINA THOM
              THARIKITA  THLANKU DHINA THOM
              THLANKU DHINA THOM

Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandi posture with both hands in Dola .

Just like the previous Theermanam, this Adavu can also be performed dividing into parts or as a set. I shall explain dividing them into parts as done on the right side.

A) THLANKU DHINA THOM  (THAI DHI THI THAI)

THLANKU (THAI) - Stamp the right leg . Move the right hand from Dola position to above the head in line with the nose. Sway the body gracefully from right side to the left side. Head and eyes should follow the right hand. 

DHI NA THOM - Do normal DHI THI THAI with the legs. Bring back the right hand to the previous position . Move the body back to position. Head and eyes should follow the right hand. 


B)    THARIKITA THLANKU DHINA THOM  (THAI THAI DHI THI THAI)

THARIKITA THLANKU (THAI  THAI ) - Stamp the right leg  and left leg one after the other. Move the right hand from Dola position to above the head in line with the nose. Sway the body gracefully from right side to the left side. Head and eyes should follow the right hand. 

DHI NA THOM - Do normal DHI THI THAI with the legs. Bring back the right hand to the previous position . Move the body back to position. Head and eyes should follow the right hand. 

C)    THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA  DHINA THOM  (THAI THAI THAI DHI THI THAI)

THLANKU DHINA THARIKITA (THAI  THAI THAI)  -  Stamp the right leg  ,then the left leg and again the right leg one .Move the right hand from Dola position to above the head in line with the nose. Sway the body gracefully from right side to the left side. Head and eyes should follow the right hand. 

DHI NA THOM - Do normal DHI THI THAI with the legs. Bring back the right hand to the previous position . Move the body back to position. Head and eyes should follow the right hand. 

These are just a few finishing Adavus. Numerous combinations of Theermanams are possible. For e.g. One can combine the 3rd Thaganam with the above Adavus and make Theermanam sequence.  

Mohiniyattam Adavus - Samishrams or Vakrams (1 to 4)

After all the sets of Adavus of ending with "Ganam", we go on to the most complex set of Adavus known as the Vakram or Samishram.  The literal meaning of the word Vakram  is curve and Samishram means medley. These Adavus are a mixture of the previous Adavus we learnt and plenty of flowing movements are involved. These Adavus are slightly complicated yet extremely graceful at the same time. These have no specific numbers . Amma had choreographed 6 of them. Various dancers have choreographed and added to the Samishram repertoire . 

SAMISHRAM-I

Chollu: THAAM THARITHA DHINA DHEEM DHIMITHA DHINA

Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam with both near the chest holding Hamsasya. Eyes in Samam

THAAM - Keep the right leg onto the right side on the heels in Aramandalam. Body should be bend to the right side. Right hand should move & change from Hamsasya to Ardhachandra by moving in a circular motion from the chest placing it in front of the right knee. Eyes should follow the right hand.

THARITHA DHINA - Move to the right side placing the left leg in front of the right leg(Right leg should be on the toes). Right hand will be in Hamsasya in front of the chest and the left hand will change from Hamsasya to Ardhachandra moving a slight semi-circular motion from the chest to the left side above the head. Body should be slanted towards the left side and head should be facing the left hand. 

DHEEM - Circle the left hand from above the head and bring near the chest changing from Ardhachandra to Hamsasya. Move body, head and eyes along with the left hand.

DHIMITHA DHINA - Come back to starting posture and sit down properly in Aramandalam.

The entire Adavu is then repeated on the left side.

SAMISHRAM-II

Chollu: THAAM THARITHA DHINA DHEEM DHIMITHA DHINA

Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam with both near the chest holding Hamsasya. Eyes in Samam

THAAM  - Change right hand to Ardhachandra and move in a semi-circular manner from in front of the chest .  Stretch the right leg to the right side

THARITHA DHINA  - Move right hand under the left hand and bring it back near the chest while changing to Hamsasya. Drag left leg and move in a semi circular motion in front of the right leg.

DHEEM DHIMITHA DHINA - Exactly like 5th THAGANAM on the right side.

THAAM  - Change left hand to Ardhachandra and move in a semi-circular manner from in front of the chest .  Stretch the left leg to the left side

THARITHA DHINA  - Move left hand under the right hand and bring it back near the chest while changing to Hamsasya. Drag right leg and move in a semi circular motion behind the right leg.

DHEEM DHIMITHA DHINA - Exactly like 5th THAGANAM on the left side.

• In this Adavu, THAAM THARITHA DHINA DHEEM DHIMITHA DHINA is repeated 4 times. First two are done like mentioned above. 
• The 3rd one is  similar to the 1st one except that at THAAM THARITHA DHINA the dancer moves in front with her body turned slightly to the left.
• The 4th one is  similar to the 2nd one except that at THAAM THARITHA DHINA the dancer moves back with her body turned slightly to the left.

The entire Adavu is then repeated on the left side.

SAMISHRAM-III

Chollu: THANKITA THATHTHI THARIKITA DHIMITHAKA 
                   THLONKU THLANKU THATHIMKINA
Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam with both the hands about 6 inches to the left of the chest holding Mushti. Bend towards the left side. Eyes should be looking down on the left side.

THANKITA THATHTHI - While remaining at starting posture, stamp right leg twice.

 THARIKITA - Stretch right leg to the right side diagonally.Move body to the right side. Change both hands from Mushti to Tripathaka , place in front of the chest with right palm facing up and left palm facing down.  Eyes look at the right side.

DHIMITHAKA - Remaining in the previous position, stamp the left leg.

THLONKU  -  Move body from right side to left side. Also turn both hands with left palm facing up and right palm facing down. Keep right leg in Swasthikam behind left leg. Eyes and head face the left side.

THLANKU - Remaining in the previous position, stamp the left leg.

THATHIM - Stamp right leg and turn both hands with right palm facing up and left palm facing down. Eyes and head are on the right side.

KINA - Stamp left leg and turn both hands with left palm facing up and right palm facing down. Eyes and head are on the left side.

The entire Adavu is repeated on the left side.

SAMISHRAM-IV

Chollu: THANKITA THATHTHI THARIKITA DHIMITHAKA 
                   THLONKU THLANKU THATHIMKINA
Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam with right hand in front of the chest holding Pathaka and left hand holding Dola .Bend towards the left side. Eyes should be looking down on the left side.

THANKITA THATHTHI - While remaining at starting posture, stamp right leg twice.

THARIKITA - Stretch right leg to the right side diagonally.Move body to the right side. Change right hand from Pathaka to Tripathaka in a semi circular motion above the head. Eyes and head will follow the right hand.

DHIMITHAKA - The hand should keep moving and stamp the left leg.

THLONKU - Move the right hand above the head. Keep right leg in Swasthikam behind left leg. Eyes and head should follow the right hand. Body should be slanted to the left side.

THLANKU - Remaining in the previous position, stamp the left leg.

THATHIMKINA - Bring the right to Dola on the right side. Stamp right leg twice and body is slanted to the right side.

This is an extremely graceful Adavu and hence the hand & body should move with fluidity. 

The entire Adavu is repeated on the left side.