PADMA SHRI MOOZHIKKAL PANKAJAKSHI| Arts| KERALA | Awarded PADMA SHRI| 2020

Moozhikkal Pankajakshi is Kerala's last surviving link with Nokkuvidya Pavakkali, the centuries old traditional puppetry of Kerala. Perhaps, it could be the manner in which this unique form of puppetry was performed that not many in Kerala itself know the fact that she is the one and only master performer of Nokkuvidya form of puppetry.She is also a recipient of the Padma Shri Award - India's fourth highest civilian honour - this year in the category of arts.

Nokkuvidya Pavakkali (nokku-look, vidya-technique, pavakkali-puppetry) demands strenuous training, before performing the same with absolute confidence. The presentation of this puppetry form requires the performer to balance puppets on the upper lip and manage the movements with constant gaze and by controlling the strings. A group of singers render songs while the performer balances the puppets mounted on rods on the upper lips.

It is said that this rare form of puppetry, which finds mention in Chilappathikaram (ancient Tamil text), is unique in all sense because of its style and substance. For Pankajakshi, Nokkuvidya is a ritual passed on to her by her parents who were the most sought after persons for performing Nokkuvidya. Pankajakshi accompanied them to various places and it did not take her long to graduate into the big league. She mastered various story lines from Mahabharatha and Ramayana.

While presenting Nokkuvidya Pavakkali the background music is based on humorous anecdotes from Indian epics. According to Pankajakshi, the Nokkuvidya puppetry is presented in such a way that even common people would find it easy to follow and enjoy the story.

The mastery of Nokkuvidya Pavakkali is an arduous process, involving continuous training and practice. Patience and concentration hold the key for mastering this unique art form, and this often has dissuaded many to opt out from learning the art form, says Pankajakshi.

According to Moozhikkal Pankajakshi, it was her husband Mr. Sivarama Panikker who was instrumental in transforming her into a noted artiste of Nokkuvidya Pavakkali. He was a reputed artiste of this art form. His melodious voice was the main attraction of the programme. The audience was held sway by the anecdotes churned out by him and that too by the minutes. With the passing away of her husband, Pankajakshi feels alone and isolated in her pursuit to give Nokkuvidya Pavakkali a mark of its own.

The art form of Nokkuvidya Pavakkali is said to be of nearly five centuries old. Pankajakshi has kept her doors ajar for those interested in learning this form of puppetry, which is under threat of extinction.