Kottayam: Moozhikkal Pankajakshi Amma, a Padma Shri awardee and exponent of rare puppetry art form Nokku Vidya, died here on Wednesday. She was 90.She died while being taken to hospital after developing health complications. She was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. A native of Monippally in Kottayam, she was active in the art form since the age of 11, having learned it from her parents.Centre honoured her with Padma Shri in 2020 for her contribution to Nokku Vidya, a traditional puppetry form once performed in the courtyards of ancestral homes during Onam. She also received the award and fellowship of Kerala Folklore Academy, and performances in countries including France helped bring international recognition to the art form and to Kerala’s cultural heritage. References to her work also feature on Kerala Tourism website.As age and ill health made it difficult for her to continue performing, her granddaughter K S Ranjini has taken up the practice of Nokku Vidya. There is concern in cultural circles that the art form could die out, with a few newcomers coming forward to learn it.Her mortal remains will be kept at SH Church Parish Hall, Monippally, for public viewing from 9am to 11am on Thursday. Funeral will be held at her residence 2pm.Late M S Sivaraman is her husband. Late M S Vijayan, M S Radhamani and M S Sivan are her children.
