Bhuvana Foundation Leads Pavakathakali Revival at NGMA

The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) recently hosted a performance of Pavakathakali, a traditional puppetry art form that hails from Kerala. The event testified the ongoing attempts to revive the erstwhile flourishing art, with the recent show being the second significant attempt at revival by the Bhuvana Foundation.

Pavakathakali, a unique form of puppetry, owes much to Kerala's classical heritage of Kathakali dance-drama. The 1/2 foot tall puppets are intricately chiselled in attire identical with Kathakali artistes. The puppeteers manipulate the dolls skillfully,bringing out elaborate narratives through movement and gesture. The percussion items, vocal performances, and music accompanying it too are rooted in the Kathakali heritage, offering a rich and absorbing theatrical experience.

The recent performance of NGMA specifically featured the story of "Kalyana Sougandhikam." The famous Mahabharata episode describes the romance of Panchali with the mythical Sougandhika flower.

The campaign by the Bhuvana Foundation to revive Pavakathakali is an important milestone towards the long-term survival of the art form. Like other traditional performing arts, Pavakathakali too has faced setbacks in recent decades due to several socio-economic factors and shifts in cultural tastes. Lack of patronage and the dwindling numbers of practitioners have been significant obstacles to its very survival.

However, the process of reviving Pavakathakali has been continued for decades. Ironically, in 1981, an attempt was made to revive this form of art.

This heritage is further augmented by the recent NGMA exhibition that was held with the sponsorship of the Bhuvana Foundation. Providing space for Pavakathakali performances, these kinds of initiatives aim to increase public awareness, introduce new audiences, and encourage young generations to learn and appreciate this unique art form. Attempts being made presently to preserve and continue this art form are crucial for upholding its artistic integrity as well as for its transmission to future generations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNiBFtaf9ds