MANDALA ARTS AND CULTURE is dedicated to Indian classical dance. And the organization headed by artist Jai Govinda is about to mount Vancouver’s first professional performance of a style called Mohiniyattam.

Also known as the Dance of the Enchantress, Mohiniyattam is traditionally performed solo by a woman. For the Vancouver presentation of the show of the same name, Mohiniyattam will be performed by Thomas Vo Van Tao, one of the few male dancers in the world to be fluent in the form.

Mohiniyattam originated in the region of Kerala. Its name is derived from the words mohini, meaning a woman who enchants onlookers, and aattam, which means graceful and sensuous body movements. The attire typically consists of a white sari bordered with a golden brocade.