Moozhikkal Pankajakshi
Nokkuvidya Paava Kali Artist from Kerala, India
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Moozhikkal Pankajakshi is an expert in Nokkuvidya pavakali a form of puppetry. She was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award the Padma Shri in 2020.[2][3][4]
Moozhikkal Pankajakshi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 March 1936[1] |
| Occupation | Nokkuvidya pavakali performer |
| Known for | Nokkuvidya pavakali |
| Spouse | Shivarama Panicker |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
Biography
Pankajakshi Moozhikkal Sivaraman popularly known as Moozhikkal Pankajakshi Amma was born on March 14, 1936, at Urulikunnath, Pala, Kottayam district.[5][1] She dropped out of school midway due to financial difficulties.[1] Pankajakshiamma started learning Nokkuvidya from her mother Paappiyamma.[1] She who learned Nokkuvidya at the age of eleven, later used to perform it with songs written by her husband after her marriage.[6] A Nokkuvidya Pavakali performer for over 60 years, due to old age, vision loss and memory loss, she stopped performing Nokkuvidya at the age of 72.[7] After that she taught the folk art form to her granddaughter Renjini.[7]
Personal life
Pankajakshi Amma married Shivarama Panicker of Monippally near Uzhavoor, Kottayam district, at the age of 20.[5][8] Couple has three children, Vijayan, Radhamani and Shiva.[5] She now lives in Monippally with her daughter Radhamani.[5]
Awards and honors
She received several awards including Padmasri (2020), India's fourth highest civilian honour and fellowship from Kerala Folklore Academy (2012).[6][9] In 2008, as part of the Kerala Tourism Festival, she performed at Paris.[1] Apart from this Pankajakshi Amma has performed Nokuvidya in many venues in Kerala and outside Kerala.[10]
Works on her
Reshmi Radhakrishnan’s documentary film Nokkuvidya, The life of a lone string puppeteer, screened at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, is about Nokkuvidya and it's performer Pankajakshi.[7]