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.