History
A playful tiger-dance street spectacle that became a hallmark of Onam celebrations in Thrissur.
Festival Arts
Pulikali
Onam tiger dance of Thrissur with painted bodies and drums.
About
Pulikali is the famous Onam tiger dance of Thrissur. Performers paint their bodies as tigers and dance through the streets to drumming in a colourful public spectacle.
Category
Festival Arts
Type
Festival folk dance
Notes
Body painting and street procession
Where to see
Thrissur Onam
Origin district
Thrissur district.
Community/tradition
Neighbourhood troupes and cultural clubs that train and paint performers for Onam.
Costume
Bare torso with painted tiger body, bell garlands, and simple lower cloth; some troupes use tiger masks.
Makeup
Full-body tiger stripes painted in bright yellow, orange, black, and white.
Musical instruments
Folk drums and percussion leading the street procession.
Performance occasions
Onam, especially the fourth day processions in Thrissur.
Famous artists
Local Pulikali troupe leaders of Thrissur’s Onam celebrations.
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