Dr. Neena Prasad invokes the blessings of Lord Ganesha in Cholkettu, which is traditionally performed as the first item in Mohiniyattam. In Pada varnam the dancer depicts the grief of separation that torments the Nayika (heroine). Thillana is performed as the finale in a dance recital. Thillana extols happiness, joy and ecstasy. The dancer depicts the anguish of the lovelorn Radha in Ashtapadi, a part of Jayadeva’s Geetha Govinda. With her graceful and sensuous movements, the performer in Dr. Neena has done justice to Mohiniyattam.
Dr. Neena Prasad
Dr. Neena Prasad represents the genre of innovative class of Indian dancers. She learned Mohiniyattam from renowned teachers viz. Kalamandalam Sugandhi and Kalamandalam Kshemavathy. Apart from Mohiniyattam, Dr. Neena Prasad is also a trained performer of Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam and Kathakali.
Dr. Neena Prasad was awarded a PhD in dance from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata for her research on the various manifestations of laasya (sensuality) and tandava (the frantic and violent dance of Lord Shiva) in South Indian classical dance. She also received the junior fellowship from the Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India for her research works in Mohiniyattam. The Bharatanjali Academy of Indian Dances (BAID) instituted by her conducts classes on different Indian dance forms.
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