Kurivilangad: Kottayam District Collector Dr P K Jayasree handed over Padma Shri to Moozhikkal Pankajakshi, Kerala's last surviving link to Mokkuvidya Pavakkali, a unique form of puppetry which is centuries old.
Her face brightened up with happiness and pride on receiving the Padma Shri. The Central government had bestowed the honour on Pankajakshi in 2020. But owing to COVID-19 and related lockdown restrictions, the handing over of the award got delayed indefinitely.
President RamNath Kovind had presented the Padma Awards at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 8. But 86-year-old Pankajakshi could not travel such a long distance due to age-related issues. In her prime, she had traveled by air even to Paris for presenting her puppetry show.
Collector Jayashree reached her residence in Monipally to hand over the civilian award.
Meenachal Tehsildar S Sreejith and Monipally Village Officer Bino Thomas accompanied collector to her house. The officials and the people’s representatives had to walk a little distance up to the house which is a bit off the nearest motorable road.
The fourth-highest civilian award in India was presented to Pankajakshi in the presence of Uzhavoor panchyat president Johnis P Stephen, panchayat member Newgent Joseph, Pankajakshiamma's daughter Radhamani, grandchildren Ranjini and Ranjith.
