| Nokkuvidya pavakali | |
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 Ranjini, grand daughter of Moozhikkal Pankajakshi performing Nokuvidyapavakali at the stage of UTSAVAM2017 at Kanhangad in Kasaragod Dt. |
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Nokkuvidya pavakali or simply Nokkuvidya is a type of puppetry from Kerala, India. It is a method of telling stories by moving small puppets fixed on a two foot long thin stick which is holding between the nose and the upper lip. It usually depicts stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Nokkuvidya pavakali is a type of puppetry practiced in Kerala, India. It is a method of telling stories by moving small puppets fixed on a thin stick which is holding between the nose and the upper lip. [1]
Nokkuvidya is a folk art form performed by the Velapanikar community of Kerala. [2] It was originally called Onamthullal as it was performed during the days of Onam. [2] A Nokuvidya puppet show usually depicts the stories from Ramayana, like the battle of Rama and Ravana and Sita's return. [1] Stories from Mahabharata are also performed. [2]
According to the myths, in the past, Shiva and Parvati disguised themselves as Kuravan and Kurathi (Velan and Velathi). [1] At that time Lord Shiva performed an art form to please Goddess Parvati. [1] [3] Lord Shiva was the first to perform Nokkuvidya by making few puppets out of wood hewed from Ezhilampala tree in the forest and fixing a kamuk stick below it. [1] [3] It is believed that the art form was later passed on to the later generations of the Velar community. [1]
Nokkuvidya is an art that was encouraged by the kings of Travancore by giving them silk and bangles. [4] This art form was very popular in South Kerala during Onam days. [4] But this puppet show, disappeared from the performance over time. [4] Later, Moozhikkal Pankajakshi brought this art form back to public attention. [5] Ranjini, grand daughter of Moozhikkal Pankajakshi is also a noted performer of Nokuvidya pavakali. [4]
Puppets for the Nokkuvidya are made by carving the wood of Ezhilampala (Alstonia scholaris). [1] The two foot long stick which the puppets are fixed is made with wood of the kamuk (Areca catechu). [1] Natural coloring substances like charcoal, leaf extracts and fruit juice are used as colours. [1]
This art form is performed sitting on a grass mat spread on the ground. The Nokkuvidya pavakali begins by lighting a Nilavilakku and praying for the blessings of Ganesha, Saraswati and Lakshmi. [1] Then three lamps (represents three eyes of Shiva) fixed on a two-foot-long wooden stick, holding between the nose and the upper lip, is lit. [1]
After the initial prayers the puppet show begins. The puppets fixed on a two foot long stick will then be balanced above the head, holding between the nose and the upper lip. [1] The string connecting the puppets is moved gently with the hands to the rhythm of the song and the story. [1]
The background instruments used are Ganchira and Kaimani. [4]
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 performers Pankajakshi and Renjini. [6]
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