Padma Shri-winning Kerala puppeteer Moozhikkal Pankajakshi passes away
Padma Shri awardee and veteran puppeteer Moozhikkal Pankajakshi passed away at age 90 in Kerala. She was renowned for reviving and popularizing the traditional puppetry form known as Nokkuvidya Pavakali.
Why it matters
The loss of a master practitioner of a rare, traditional art form highlights the challenges of cultural preservation in modern society.
Padma Shri awardee Moozhikkal Pankajakshi, the veteran folk artist who revived and popularised Nokkuvidya Pavakali , a traditional puppetry form of Kerala, passed away at her residence in Monippally in Kottayam district on Wednesday (July 15, 2026). She was 90.
The article is a respectful obituary detailing the life and contributions of a cultural figure.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in