Battlefield in front of her eyes, gaze that never fails; how Ranjini balances Puranas on her Lip

KOCHI: Perched delicately upon her upper lip is a slender stick, and at its peak, a small plate holds a world of legends. For Ranjini, a native of Monippally, Kottayam, this is not just a performance—it is a lifelong immersion. Beginning her journey at the age of eight, she has spent 17 years mastering the art of Nokkuvidya Pavakali, bringing the heroes of the Puranas to life through a breathtaking display of balance and focus.

This rare art form is a treasure of the Velan community, passed down to Ranjini through a powerful matrilineal line. She was trained by her mother, Radhamani, who in turn learned from Ranjini’s grandmother, the renowned Padma Shri Pankajakshi. Having performed on prestigious stages from Kerala to Paris, Pankajakshi ensured the survival of this tradition through her granddaughter.

Legend traces the art back to Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is said that while wandering the forest as a Kuravan and Kurathi, Shiva carved figures from wood and taught the art to Parvati to amuse her.

Today, that divine play requires human precision:

• The Apparatus: A two-foot-long piece of Areca palm wood, no thicker than an index finger, is balanced on the upper lip.
• The Puppets: Crafted from the wood of the Blackboard tree (Ezhilam Pala) and adorned in dazzling costumes, these puppets sit atop the palm stick.
• The Control: The puppets are manipulated by thin strings wrapped around the performer's fingers.

The stakes are high; the name "Nokkuvidya" (the art of the gaze) is literal. If the performer’s eyes stray from the puppets for even a second, the control strings will tangle, and the balance will be lost.

A full performance of Nokkuvidya Pavakali is a sensory experience lasting about an hour. Ranjini is supported by a five-person troupe, including her uncle, Shivan, who provides the vocal accompaniment. The air is filled with the rhythmic pulse of traditional instruments: the Kanjira, Thudi, Para, and Kaimani.

While the war scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are the staples of her repertoire, Ranjini has mastered even more daring feats. In a display of incredible dexterity, she can bite the handle of a knife and make a puppet dance upon its sharpened tip.

Despite the demands of her traditional craft, Ranjini remains grounded in the modern world. A B.Com graduate, she balances her academic background with her role as a cultural torchbearer, supported by her mother and her siblings, Raji and Ranjith. In her hands—and on her lips—the ancient heroes of India continue their eternal dance.