Mohini Attam is one of the youngest Indian Classical dances. It was by about 16th Century A.D. that this dance form was known from and in the 19th Century Maharaja Swati Tirunal of Trivandrum encouraged this art form and stabilized it.

Mohini means a maiden who excites desire and her dance is known as Mohini Attam. From the inception itself, Mohini Attam was conceived as a form of social diversion. The themes of the songs were both religious and social.

In the matter of technical format, there are many similarities between Mohini Attam and Bharat Natyam and also the central motif of adavus being the same. It is essential a solo dance and performed by women with tender and graceful body movements belonging to the lasya style. The hand gestures play an important part as a communication medium.

The costume comprises a white sari with gold or red border accompanied by gold ornaments on the neck, waists and a typical hair-bun with white flowers on the left side of the head.