On the fourth day of Onam, people celebrate the Pulikali Play. Pulikali means Tiger and the Pulikali Play exhibit the haunting and hide – seek activities of a tiger from hunters and also the haunting activities of Tigers.
If you have never seen a procession of tigers on two legs, you can watch it at the show of Pulikali Play. It is not about any carnival inside the circus tents. The event takes place at the Swaraj ground in Thrissur district of Kerala. Pulikali is an event that has become synonymous with the festival of Onam in Kerala. The Tigers are not really brought from forests or from a circus to perform here but they are men dressed and painted as tigers.
The origin of Pulikali is supposed to be 200 yrs back with the King Ramama. It is said that he has introduced the folk art during Muharram. Mohammedan soldiers of the British army stationed in Thrissur in the Pattalam area used to celebrate Muharram with great fervour. Along with the celebrations, they used to perform the art form decked as tigers with peculiar steps resembling the tiger, then known as ‘Pulikkettikali’ which was immensely enjoyed by the locals. Pulikali in Trichur is held in memory of this event.
There have been changes in the gate-up of Pulikali dancers. In the early days, masks were not used at all and participants would have themselves painted all over, on their faces as well. But now, readymade masks, cosmetic teeth, tongues, beards and moustaches are used by the participants along with the paint on their bodies. The Tigers also wear a broad belt with jingles around their waist.
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