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Religion
Kerala’s 200‑year‑old Pulikali tiger dance dazzles Onam celebrations
✍️ Business Today
🗓 27 Aug 2026, 06:17 AM
👁 3
The Pulikali, a tiger‑painted folk dance performed for over two centuries, remains a centerpiece of Kerala’s Onam festivities, attracting crowds with its vivid costumes and rhythmic steps.
Kerala’s Onam festival this year featured the age‑old Pulikali, a folk performance where participants paint themselves in striking tiger stripes and dance to traditional drums. Originating around two centuries ago, the custom was historically linked to agrarian rituals that celebrated the harvest and the mythical king Mahabali’s return.
The dancers, known locally as "Pulikali artists," spend hours applying bright orange, black and white body paint before taking to the streets in coordinated groups. Their energetic movements, set to the beats of chenda and maddalam, create a lively spectacle that draws locals and tourists alike.
Cultural officials said the tradition not only preserves Kerala’s artistic heritage but also reinforces community bonds, as villages organize rehearsals and competitions in the weeks leading up to Onam. Despite modern entertainment options, Pulikali continues to command large crowds, underscoring its enduring appeal in the state’s cultural calendar.
The dancers, known locally as "Pulikali artists," spend hours applying bright orange, black and white body paint before taking to the streets in coordinated groups. Their energetic movements, set to the beats of chenda and maddalam, create a lively spectacle that draws locals and tourists alike.
Cultural officials said the tradition not only preserves Kerala’s artistic heritage but also reinforces community bonds, as villages organize rehearsals and competitions in the weeks leading up to Onam. Despite modern entertainment options, Pulikali continues to command large crowds, underscoring its enduring appeal in the state’s cultural calendar.