Nokkuvidya pavakali

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]

• Tholpavakoothu