Mohiniyattam, also spelled Mohiniattam (Malayalam: മോഹിനിയാട്ടം), is a classical dance form from Kerala, India. Believed to have originated in 16th century CE,^{[citation needed]} it is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. It is considered a very graceful form of dance meant to be performed as solo recitals by women.

Mohiniyattam was popularized as a popular dance form in the nineteenth century by Swathi Thirunal, the Maharaja of the state of Travancore (Southern Kerala), and Vadivelu, one of the Thanjavur Quartet. Swathi Thirunal promoted the study of Mohiniyattam during his reign, and is credited with the composition of many music arrangements and vocal accompaniments that provide musical background for modern Mohiniyattam dancers. The noted Malayalam poet Vallathol, who established the Kerala Kalamandalam dance school in 1930, played an important role in popularizing Mohiniattam in the 20th century.

The term Mohiniyattam comes from the words "Mohini" meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and "aattam" meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. The word "Mohiniyattam" literally means "dance of the enchantress". There are two stories of the Lord Vishnu disguised as a Mohini. In one, he appears as Mohini to lure the asuras (demons) away from the amrita (nectar of immortality) obtained during the churning of the palazhi or Ocean of Milk.

Sunanda Nair is a leading exponent of Mohiniyattam or Mohini Attam (an Indian classical dance form) and one of the few performers of this style of dance form. She was born in Mumbai. Sunanda is the disciple of noted Mohini Attam exponent Padmashree Dr.(Smt) Kanak Rele, credited for much for the revival and popularisation of this classical dance style of Kerala.

Sunanda had her initial training in Bharatanatyam at the age of six and since then has given many performances in this style of dancing. She studied from masters like Kalaimamani Kadirvelu, Kalaimamani Mahalingam Pillai, Guru T.V.Sounderajan, Shri Dipak Majumdar, Smt.Jayashree Nair and presently Smt.Tejiswini Rao in Kattumanar Muthukumar Pillai's bani

Other than Mohini Attam and Bharatnatyam she has also had her initial training in Kathakali under Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Warrier and since then has performed important female roles. Sunanda is continuing her training in Kathakali under Kalamandalam Gopalakrishnan.

She is the first student to earn a Master's degree in Mohini Attam from Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalay affiliated to the University of Mumbai. Sunanda is both a professional dancer and a teacher. She is also the Founder Director of Srutilaya Institute of Fine Arts which has been training students in both Mohini Attam and Bharatanatyam.