Padma Shri Awardee and Nokkuvidya Puppetry Exponent Moozhikkal Pankajakshi Passes Away

On 15 July 2026, renowned Nokkuvidya Pavakkali exponent Moozhikkal Pankajakshi passed away in Koothattukulam, Kerala, at the age of 90. She was born on 14 March 1936 at Urulikunnath, Pala, in Kottayam district, Kerala. Art form: Nokkuvidya Pavakkali is a rare traditional Kerala puppetry art in which the performer balances and manipulates puppets on a stick held in the mouth. She began learning the art from her mother, Paappiyamma, at the age of 11, and was regarded as its last major exponent. Honours: She was awarded the Padma Shri, India's 4th-highest civilian award, in 2020 for her contribution to Arts. She also received the Kerala Folklore Academy Fellowship in 2012. Legacy: She took the traditional art form from rural Kerala to international platforms, including performances at cultural festivals in Paris, France.