https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Nokkuvidya_pavakaliNokkuvidya pavakali - Revision history2026-11-03T12:13:13ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nokkuvidya_pavakali&diff=522404&oldid=prevRonaldKign: Added bio2025-03-18T23:30:34Z<p>Added bio</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Form of puppetry practiced in India}}<br />
{{Infobox performing art<br />
|name=Nokkuvidya pavakali <br />
|image=File:Nokuvidyapavakali.jpg<br />
|alt= <br />
|caption= Ranjini, grand daughter of [[Moozhikkal Pankajakshi]] performing Nokuvidyapavakali at the stage of UTSAVAM2017 at Kanhangad in Kasaragod Dt. <br />
|native_name= നോക്കുവിദ്യ പാവകളി (Malayalam)<br />
|etymology=<br />
|genre= [[Puppetry]]<br />
|signature=<br />
|instruments=[[Ganjira]], [[Kaimani]]<br />
|inventor=<br />
|year=<br />
|origin= [[Kerala]], India<br />
}}<br />
{{Performing arts}}<br />
'''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.<br />
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==Overview==<br />
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.<ref name="Vanitha">{{Cite web |title=‘11 വയസ്സ് മുതൽ നോക്കുവിദ്യ പാവകളി പഠിച്ചുതുടങ്ങി; മച്ചിങ്ങ വീണ് മുഖത്ത് ചതവും ഈർക്കിലി കുത്തിക്കയറലും അന്ന് പതിവാണ്’; പത്മശ്രീയേക്കാൾ തിളക്കത്തോടെ പങ്കജാക്ഷിയമ്മ! {{!}} Padmasree award winner |url=https://www.vanitha.in/specials/womens-day-2020/padmasree-nokkuvidhya-pavakali-pankajakshiyamma-story.html |access-date=2023-04-10 |language=ml |website=vanitha.in |publisher=[[Vanitha]] |archive-date=2023-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410054046/https://www.vanitha.in/specials/womens-day-2020/padmasree-nokkuvidhya-pavakali-pankajakshiyamma-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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Nokkuvidya is a folk art form performed by the Velapanikar community of Kerala.<ref name="Mathrubhumi">{{Cite web |date=2021-04-10 |title=അന്യം നിന്ന നോക്കുവിദ്യ പാവകളിയുമായി ഒരു മുത്തശ്ശിയും കൊച്ചുമകളും, അവരെ ലോകത്തിന് മുന്നിലെത്തിച്ച് മറ്റൊരു പെൺകുട്ടി |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/lifestyle/features/nokkuvidya-pavakali-preserve-grandmother-and-niece-the-life-of-padma-padma-shri-moozhikkal-pankajakshi-1.5583233 |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=[[Mathrubhumi]] |language=ml |archive-date=2023-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410054046/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/lifestyle/features/nokkuvidya-pavakali-preserve-grandmother-and-niece-the-life-of-padma-padma-shri-moozhikkal-pankajakshi-1.5583233 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was originally called Onamthullal as it was performed during the days of [[Onam]].<ref name="Mathrubhumi"/> A Nokuvidya puppet show usually depicts the stories from [[Ramayana]], like the battle of [[Rama]] and [[Ravana]] and Sita's return.<ref name="Vanitha"/> Stories from [[Mahabharata]] are also performed.<ref name="Mathrubhumi"/><br />
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==Myth==<br />
According to the myths, in the past, Shiva and Parvati disguised themselves as Kuravan and Kurathi (Velan and Velathi).<ref name="Vanitha"/> At that time Lord Shiva performed an art form to please Goddess Parvati.<ref name="Vanitha"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Meet KS Renjini: The 22-year-old Keralite striving to popularise rare 'nokkuvidya pavakali' art |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2022/jan/23/meet-ks-renjini-the-22-year-old-keralite-striving-to-popularise-rare-nokkuvidya-pavakaliart-2410225.html |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |archive-date=2023-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410070955/https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2022/jan/23/meet-ks-renjini-the-22-year-old-keralite-striving-to-popularise-rare-nokkuvidya-pavakaliart-2410225.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Vanitha"/><ref name=":0" /> It is believed that the art form was later passed on to the later generations of the Velar community.<ref name="Vanitha"/><br />
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==History==<br />
Nokkuvidya is an art that was encouraged by the kings of [[Travancore]] by giving them silk and bangles.<ref name="Madhyamam">{{Cite web |last=C. H |first=VVija |date=2022-04-17 |title=രഞ്ജിനിയും നോക്കുവിദ്യ പാവകളിയും |url=https://www.madhyamam.com/lifestyle/woman/renjini-the-nokkuvidya-string-puppeteer-982006 |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=www.madhyamam.com |publisher=[[Madhyamam]] |language=ml |archive-date=2023-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410054047/https://www.madhyamam.com/lifestyle/woman/renjini-the-nokkuvidya-string-puppeteer-982006 |url-status=live }}</ref> This art form was very popular in [[Kerala|South Kerala]] during Onam days.<ref name="Madhyamam"/> But this puppet show, disappeared from the performance over time.<ref name="Madhyamam"/> Later, [[Moozhikkal Pankajakshi]] brought this art form back to public attention.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anand |first=Shilpa Nair |date=2021-04-28 |title=Nokkuvidya Pavakali’s lone practitioner |language=en-IN |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/a-documentary-film-that-puts-the-spotlight-on-a-form-of-puppet-theatre-in-kerala-that-has-only-one-practitioner-left/article34428756.ece |access-date=2023-04-10 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=2023-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410054046/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/a-documentary-film-that-puts-the-spotlight-on-a-form-of-puppet-theatre-in-kerala-that-has-only-one-practitioner-left/article34428756.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> Ranjini, grand daughter of Moozhikkal Pankajakshi is also a noted performer of Nokuvidya pavakali.<ref name="Madhyamam"/><br />
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==Making==<br />
Puppets for the Nokkuvidya are made by carving the wood of Ezhilampala ([[Alstonia scholaris]]).<ref name="Vanitha"/> The two foot long stick which the puppets are fixed is made with wood of the kamuk ([[Areca catechu]]).<ref name="Vanitha"/> Natural coloring substances like charcoal, leaf extracts and fruit juice are used as colours.<ref name="Vanitha"/><br />
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==Performance==<br />
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]].<ref name="Vanitha"/> 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.<ref name="Vanitha"/><br />
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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.<ref name="Vanitha"/> The string connecting the puppets is moved gently with the hands to the rhythm of the song and the story.<ref name="Vanitha"/><br />
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The background instruments used are Ganchira and Kaimani.<ref name="Madhyamam"/><br />
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==Works on Nokkuvidya==<br />
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-17 |title=This Malayalam documentary is about a little-known puppetry form performed by women |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/malayalam-documentary-about-little-known-puppetry-form-performed-women-158851 |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=The News Minute |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410071741/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/malayalam-documentary-about-little-known-puppetry-form-performed-women-158851 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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==See also==<br />
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* [[Chadar Badar]], puppet art of Santhal people of India<br />
* [[Gopalila]], puppet art of Odisha state of India<br />
* [[Kathputli (puppetry)]], puppet art of Rajasthan state of India<br />
* [[Rabana Chhaya]], shadow puppet art of Odisha state of India<br />
* [[Sakhi kandhei]], string puppet art of Odisha state of India<br />
* [[Shadow play]], shadow puppet art which originated in first millennium BCE in India <br />
* [[Tholpavakoothu]], shadow puppet art of Kerala and Tami Nadu states of India<br />
* [[Tholu bommalata]], shadow puppet art of Andhra Pradesh state of India<br />
* [[Togalu gombeyaata]], shadow puppet art of Karnataka state of India<br />
* [[Wayang]], puppet art of Indonesia inspired by Indian puppetry<br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
{{culture of Kerala}}<br />
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[[Category:Kerala folklore]]<br />
[[Category:Puppetry in India]]</div>RonaldKign