Kottayam (Kerala): Moozhikkal Pankajakshi, the revered exponent of Kerala’s traditional "Nokkuvidya Pavakkali" puppetry and a Padma Shri laureate, passed away at a private hospital in Koothattukulam on Wednesday. Family sources confirmed that the veteran artist succumbed to age-related illnesses at the age of 80.

Hailing from Monippally in Kerala’s Kottayam district, Pankajakshi was widely celebrated for elevating Nokkuvidya Pavakkali, a centuries-old indigenous puppetry art form, from rural obscurity to national and global prominence.

In recognition of her lifelong dedication to preserving and popularising this unique cultural heritage, she was honoured with India’s prestigious Padma Shri award in 2020.

A lifelong legacy facing extinction

Pankajakshi’s artistic journey began at the tender age of 11 under the guidance of her parents. Although declining health and advanced age eventually prevented her from performing in her later years, her lineage endures through her granddaughter K S Ranjini, who continues to practice the craft.
 

Throughout her later life, the veteran exponent frequently voiced deep concerns regarding the survival of the art form, warning that it faced potential extinction due to a lack of interest among the younger generation to learn and sustain the demanding tradition.

Historically performed in the courtyards of ancestral Kerala homes during the festival of Onam, Nokkuvidya Pavakkali requires the artist to balance small wooden puppets on a long stick held steady against the upper lip. The performer animates the puppets using thin strings, synchronising their movements with traditional folk songs and narrative storytelling.

Pankajakshi showcased this gravity-defying art form across various countries, including France, securing international acclaim for Kerala's cultural legacy.

Over the course of her career, she received numerous distinctions, including the Kerala Folklore Academy Award and Fellowship. Her contributions to the preservation of native art are also prominently featured on the official website of Kerala Tourism.

PTI