Which of the following is the main percussion instrument used in the performance of the Mohiniyattam dance? 

The correct answer is Edakka.

• The musical instruments usually used in Mohiniyattam are Mridangam or Madhalam (barrel drum), Idakka (hourglass drum), flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam (cymbals).
• Mohiniyattam is based on Natya Shastra’s lasya style.
• Mohiniyattam is one of the classical dance forms that originated in Kerala, the other one being Kathakali.
• Mohiniyattam gets its name from the word "Mohini", the feminine form of Lord Vishnu, the word means dance of Mohini.
• The dance has a major emphasis on facial expressions and hand gestures.
• Dr. Sunanda Nair became the first in India to acquire a Master's degree in Mohiniyattam.
• Notable dancers of Mohiniyattam are Sunanda Nair, Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Jayaprabha Menon, Pallavi Krishnan, Gopika Varma, Vijayalakshmi, Radha Dutta, Rema Shrikant.

Additional Information

• Musical instruments used in Kathak dance are Esraj, Bansuri, Ghungharu, Harmonium, Santur, Pakhawaj, Sarod, Tabla, Sitar, Tanpura, etc.
• The instruments used in Odissi dance include tabla, pakhavaj, harmonium, swarmandal, sitar, flute, violin, and cymbals.
• Dharma is a traditional percussion instrument with a rich bass sound essential for Chau's dance performance. Chau dance is majorly known in Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
• Nagada is mainly used in the Geedad dance form.