Onam, with its legends of King Mahabali and the art of Pookalam, sets the stage for Pulikali’s grand performances, especially on the fourth day of festivities. Thrissur’s Swaraj Round becomes the epicenter of this spectacle, drawing thousands of spectators to witness the artists’ bold body painting and high-energy dance movements.

Pulikali is not just a performance; it’s a two-century-old tradition believed to be introduced by Maharaja Sakthan Thampuran, celebrating courage, bravery, and the spirit of battle. While it thrives in villages and towns, its grandest display unfolds during Onam, with scenes of tiger hunting and pursuit by hunters enacted by enthusiastic performers.

The colorful appearance of the artists is a testament to their dedication, involving a meticulous process of body hair removal and layered paint application. To witness Pulikali during Onam in Thrissur is to experience a visual feast, where vibrant hues, pulsating rhythms, and the spirit of Kerala’s culture come together in a captivating celebration.

Pulikali is more than a dance; it’s a timeless tradition that continues to roar with joy, captivating audiences year after year and reminding us of the beauty of Kerala’s cultural diversity and artistic expression.

1. Nalaam Onam: The Tiger Dance Extravaganza

Fourth Day Revelry

On the fourth day of Onam festivities, known as Nalaam Onam, the stage is set for the exhilarating Pulikali performance. Dancers, resembling tigers and hunters, come alive with instruments like the Udukku and Thakil, moving to rhythmic beats that echo through Kerala’s heartland. Discover the essence of Pulikali as it literally translates into the ‘play of the tigers,’ revolving around the mesmerizing theme of tiger hunting.

1. Nature’s Canvas: Vivid Body Painting and Energetic Moves

Celebrating Man and Beast

Pulikali draws its inspiration from the natural world, weaving symbols of nature into its vibrant canvas. With bold body painting in vivid yellow and orange hues and high-energy dance moves, it flamboyantly celebrates the profound connection between humans and nature. Dive into the artistic language that melds man and beast, where every move tells a story.

1. Thrissur’s Grand Stage: Swaraj Round Spectacle

Where the Tigers Roar

Thrissur takes center stage during Onam as Swaraj Round becomes the epicenter of Pulikali’s grand spectacle. Witness Pulikali troupes from across the district converge in this vibrant city, putting on dazzling performances that captivate thousands of spectators. It’s a celebration that paints the town in vibrant hues and pulsating rhythms.

1. The Ancient Art of Pulikali: A Two-Century Legacy

From Past to Present

Explore the roots of Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali, a folk art form believed to be over two centuries old. Understand the artistry behind Pulikali as performers adorn their bodies with painted lion or tiger faces, and their legs bask in the sun’s glow. Learn how it was introduced by Maharaja Sakthan Thampuran, the former Maharaja of Cochin, as a spirited expression for the Onam celebration.

1. The Artistic Process: Transforming into Tigers

Crafting Vibrant Attire

Delve into the meticulous process of preparing Pulikali performers. Discover the unique mixture of tempera powder, varnish, or enamel that forms the vibrant body paint. Uncover the dedication required, from body hair removal to the careful application of paint. Witness the transformation that takes five to six hours, culminating in vibrant tigers and hunters ready to dazzle the world.

1. Roaring Tradition: Pulikali’s Timeless Charm

Joyous Roars of Tradition

Celebrations of the Onam Festival and theMahabali Legend."Leopard" is the meaning of Puli, while "play" is the meaning of Kali. On the fourth day of Onam festivities (Nalaam Onam), dancers dressed as tigers and hunters and playing instruments like the Udukku and Thakil move to the rhythm. Pulikali literally translates as "play of the tigers," hence the performance's central theme is tiger hunting. Kerala's Thrissur district is home to the majority of folk art practitioners. On the fourth day of Onam, Pulikali dancing troupes from over the district congregate at Swaraj Round in Thrissur to put on the best performance. Thousands of people are drawn to the celebration in the city of Thrissur.

Pulikali draws inspiration from natural forms and symbolism, which are expressed in its vivid, edgy body painting in yellow and orange and its energising dance moves. The relationship between humans and nature is thus flamboyantly celebrated by combining man and beast in its aesthetic language. But one of its major performances is during Onam, the harvest festival that in this part of south India symbolises the start of the New Year. On the third day of Onam, amid great pomp, a whimsical parade of boys and adults dressed as tigers and panthers romps down Trichur's Swaraj Road. The Pulikali-tiger dance's major topic is tiger hunting, with players taking on the roles of both the tiger and the hunter.

pulikali-thrissur Pulikali dance, which is also referred to as Kaduvvakali, is primarily performed in the Thrissur and Palghat districts of Kerala. It is thought to be a two-hundred-year-old folk dance form. Pulikali performers have painted lion or tiger faces on their trunks, and their legs are painted yellow and allowed to dry by standing in the sun. Pulikali is thought to have been introduced by Maharaja Sakthan Thampuran, the former Maharaja of Cochin, who desired a dance that expressed the untamed and macho spirit of the force for the Onam celebration. A celebration of valour, fortitude, and the spirit of combat is the pulikali-tiger dance.

The performers' vibrant attire is a noteworthy aspect of this folk art. The paint is created using a specific mixture of tempera powder, varnish, or enamel. Dancers must first remove their hair off their bodies before the foundation coat of paint is put to them. After the base coat of paint has dried for two to three hours in the sun, a second coat is then applied, and the total process takes five to six hours.

In conclusion, Pulikali, also known as Kaduvakali, stands as a vibrant and captivating folk art that adds a burst of color and energy to Kerala's cherished Onam festival. This tradition, where skilled artists transform themselves into tigers and hunters, symbolizes the rich cultural heritage of Kerala and celebrates the connection between humans and nature.

By: Sunil Kumar, Attingal