Pulikali - Tiger dance

Pulikali - Tiger dance

Of all rituals or rather performing arts of Kerala - “Pulikali” is perhaps the most entertaining and simple’ In fact children are the most vociferous fans of this form of art. It is performed throughout Kerala during Onam season. But the most attractive and fabulous is the Pulikali Performed at the Swaraj Round (formerly known as the Thekkinkadu maidanam)

In this form of art people from various localities form groups and take collective decision to form a Pulikali troupe consisting of around ten people one or two large sized people take the role of tigers They shave of their body hairs and apply shining enamel paint to draw the beautiful stripes of tiger all around their body, fix a beautiful tail and a mask Exactly like that of a tiger. Other members of the team have got their roles in the performance some of them play local percussion instruments, some play local forms of drums and yet others dance to the tune of the drums making loud sounds for encouraging the players.

For a change certain troops include a hunter with a big toy rifle. This hunter and tigers perform a mock drill while they are dancing around. Spectators consist mostly of children and owners of near by shops. Women of nearby houses watch from a distance with amusement. Every body enjoy the dance and their body move with beat of the drum. As the crowd increases the play gains momentum finally the mock hunter produces a gun fire like sound with his mouth and the tiger falls down as if dead receiving cheers and donations from the crowd! And troupe moves to the next location.

As mentioned in the first para The Thrissur town which comes in the middle portion of Kerala Pulikali is performed in a bit more coordinated way all the local troupes of the surrounding areas assemble in the large circular ground known as the swaraj round and a grand performance takes place thousands of tigers dancing all around creating traffic block whole the time passers cheering and poor vehicle owners cursing! Being held in traffic block. A delight to the spectator and despair to the commuter.

Thrissur being the cultural capital of Kerala all events take place there are in drawn in a larger canvas. Thrissur pooram for examble is undoubtedly the most spectacular event taking place in Kerala. Several temple festivals are celebrated in confluence same is the thing with Pulikali when other parts of the state it is performed as small rural activity associated with Onam in small scale, in Thrissur it is grand gala style with more than 900 or so participants. Pulikali at the Swaraj Ground, Thrissur is held on the fourth day from Onam . A real feast to the eye and ear!......Happy Onam…..

Author: Sasi Kumar

Source: Naturemagics.com - website on Kerala Tourism

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