PULIKALI IS A COLOURFUL FOLK ART

PULIKALI IS A COLOURFUL FOLK ART

Pulikali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam. Pulikali, also known as Kaduvaakali, is a 200 year old art, carefully preserved by the artists of the state. Literal meaning of Pulikali is the 'play of the tigers' hence the performance revolve around the theme of tiger hunting. The folk art is mainly practiced in Thrissur (Trichur) and Palghat districts of Kerala. Best place to watch the show is Swaraj Ground at Thrissur on the fourth day of Onam, where Pulikali troupes from all over the district assemble to display their skills.
   Striking feature of this folk art is the colorful appearance of the performers. To get the semblance of a tiger artists paint themselves in bright yellow with patterns of black and red. A tiger mask on the face completes the get up. It is a painstaking job and artists spend a whole night prior to the performance day on their make-up. Patience of artists must be appreciated, as most paints contain toxic chemicals which create a burning sensation when applied on newly shaved bodies.  It is a wonderful sight to see humans in the guise of tigers roaming in the streets. Children, specifically take great delight in their performance as the entertainers dance, pounce and walk like a tiger. Scenes of tiger hunting goats and tiger being hunted by a human beings are also beautifully depicted by them. Beat for the dance movement is provided by percussion instruments like 'udukku' and 'thakil'.

'Pulikkali' or 'Tiger Dance' festival every year in the month of August- September. Hundreds of males with huge bellies and children wearing tiger masks take part in the Tiger dance, that forms a key element of the popular harvest festival of Onam in Kerala. Pulikali also known as Kaduvaakali, is a folk art form of Kerala in which artists paint themselves with tiger stripes of yellow, red and black, and dance to the rhythm of traditional percussion instruments such as thakil, udukku and chenda. The main theme of the dance is tiger hunting, and its origins are attributed to Muslims soldiers. Though the dance is performed all over Kerala during Onam, it has special significance in Palakkad and Thrissur districts. In Thrissur more than 800 people dressed as tigers from the neighbouring 14 village areas in the district, participate in the event held on the fourth day of Onam. 

The origin of Pulikali dates back to over 200 years, when the King Ramavarma is said to have introduced the folk art during Muharram. Mohemeddan soldiers of the British army stationed in Thrissur in the Pattalam (army) area used to celebrate Muharram with great fervor. 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. Over the years, there has been changes in the adornment 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 mustaches are used by the participants along with the paint on their bodies. The tigers also wear a broad belt with jingles around their waist.
The festival in Thrissur has now become an all peoples event with huge response from people, especially youths who come forward to participate in the festival, and also from sponsors. The event is organised by the Pulikkali Co-ordination Committee, a unified council of Pulikkali groups formed in 2004 to preserve and propagate the art in all its true hues and tones.A striking feature of this folk art is the colorful appearance of the performers. A particular combination of Tempra Powder and varnish or enamel is used to make the paint. First of all, the dancers remove the hair from the body, and then, the base coat of paints is applied on them. It takes two to three hours for the coating to dry. After that, the second coat of paint is applied with enhanced design. This entire procedure takes at least five to seven hours. A large number of artists gather to apply paint on the tigers. It is a meticulous process and start from the wee hours in the morning.By afternoon the Pulikkali groups or 'sangams' as they are called, from all four corners of Thrissur move in a procession, dancing, pouncing and shaking their bellies to the beat of the drums through the streets to the Swaraj Ground situated in the heart of the city. Scenes such as the tiger preying on an animal, and a tiger being hunted by a game-hunter are enacted beautifully in between. Thousands of spectators line the streets enjoying the dance, cheering the dancers some of them even trying to join in.
The groups assemble at Naduvilal in the Swaraj ground in front of the Vadakkunnathan temple and offer a coconut each to the deity of the Ganpathi shrine (Naduvilal Ganapathi Kovil) here, before going on a procession around the ground. The procession also includes floats from each village. The different troupe
Pulikali is a traditional performing art. Pulikali literally means “play of the tigers” in Malayalam. It is part of the Onam festivities (Thiruvonam) and is generally performed on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Pulikali is rather popular in Palakkad and Thrissur districts and not that favored in others. It is also known as Kaduvakali. Pulikali is a highly colorful and entertaining folk art and is enjoyed by old and young alike due to the fervor it elicits. On this day, Pulikali troupes from various parts of the district assemble in Thrissur city (Swaraj Grounds) and perform. A sort of a contest develops with the cheering crowds deciding which troupe they like best.  In Pulakali a group of performers(usually around 6 people who make up the troupe), have their bodies painted in the colors and patterns of a tiger, don tiger masks and perform a wild dance symbolizing the hunting rituals on a tiger hunt. The hunter and drummer play their parts realistically as the tiger guised men prance and leap ferociously. The play includes realistic scenes such as the tiger catching the goat, offered as bait and then the hunter capturing the tiger and so on.

The art is a simple and entertaining one. The cheering, roaring crowds fill the performers with vigor. However the pains taken by the artists need to be highlighted. The performers themselves get their bodies shaved the evening prior to the performance. After a family meal, the painting starts at night. Usually with a tigers picture in front, the painters work meticulously and painstakingly to create an exact likeness of a tiger. The tiger's face is often painter on the chest of the performer. Often the shiny coat and dark spots of a leopard are also painted on a performer. Rarely a performer is also painted to be a black panther. The painters work patiently all night and the performers too take immense efforts to get the guise perfected. Often they stand all night in a windy area or under a fan to dry the paint. The colors used are yellow, black and red. These were traditionally herbal or organic dyes but the use of commercial, synthesized paint is now in vogue as it dries faster and looks more impressive and shiny. But these are also harmful to the artists skin and often burn the newly shaved skin. The instruments that are played to recreate the tiger hunting scenes are drums and percussions such as 'Udukku' and 'Thakil', 'Chenda" and 'Thappu'. The beats of these instruments create the atmosphere required for the spectator to vicariously eel the hunter's thrill.

This 200 year old art form is fast on the wane. Earlier where 30-40 troupes had participated in a competitive spirit, hardly 6-7 troupes perform now; and the focus is to keep the art alive, rather than winning the prize. The urban population no longer takes delight in the art as in olden times. Local clubs are making an effort to keep the art alive and do organize performances. The local people pool in their resources. They also volunteer as painters. So street-shows of Pulikali are conducted in the district of Thrissur. The Government, Tourism department and other organizations are indeed making an effort to keep the art going.
Pulikali is the main attraction of fourth Onam day of Kerala. On this day performers are painted with tiger-like stripes of yellow, red and black colours. The percussion instruments like ‘udukku’ and ‘thakil’ provide special beats for the dance movements of its performers. There is no choreography for this dance. They perform with a body language akin or at least believed to be like a tiger’s interspersed with traditional folk dance steps.“Then, according to the part played by the artist the strips of red, yellow, black, brown are drawn on the body. Before applying the base coat the hair from the dancer’s body has to be removed. It takes about three hours for the coating to dry. After this the second coat of painting starts with an enhanced design. Besides yellow, red and black colours we are now using florescent colours, silver and gold. Zebra lines, “African Shepherd” inspired drawing are the latest additions to make it more attractive.”

It takes four hours to complete the ‘chamayam’ on one performer. A large number of artists are required to apply these designs on the ‘tigers’. Some artists get a burning sensation while the paint is being applied. The others gather around to cheer him up during this time. This folk art is mainly performed in Thrissur though it exists in other districts as well. In Kannur Pulikali depicts scenes of tiger hunting goats and tiger being hunted by human beings .It is believed that Sakthan Thampuran introduced this folk dance to celebrate Onam with a dance that reflected the wild and macho spirit of the force. Later, Muslim soldiers of the British Army in the Thrissur cantonment area used to celebrate it. In memory of this event Pulikali was held in Thrissur and the locals spontaneously join the festivities.This dance procession is a sight to behold during Onam. Hari says, “This year we have eight teams that will perform. Each team consists of 51 performers. Last year we had ten teams. Pulikali costs about 5 lakhs and that’s why people are reluctant. To become a puli (tiger) is something very creditable and they do it only because of their interest. All these performers are professionals who work in Government departments, or in contract jobs. The big Puli with a large belly will get a remuneration of about Rs.1,500.”

Two days before the big day, an exhibition ‘Chamaya Pradharshanam’ will be held for the public. The Pulikali mask, false teeth, tongue, beard and moustache and broad belt with jingles are exhibited. “On the fourth Onam day, the Pulikkali group starts their procession from each desham. The procession starts 2.30 in the afternoon. This year we have teams from 8 deshams. 73 year old Chattunni is the senior most puli in our group. He is a veteran of 55 years as Puli. Teams will reach Naduvilal in the Swaraj Round, Thrissur from various sides. They offer their prayers at the Naduvilal Ganapati Kovil (Ganapathy temple) here and start their performance jointly dancing, pouncing and shaking their bellies to the beat of the drums.”After this performance artists are soaked in Kerosene to remove the paint. Thhe Artist describes the process, “10-15 minute soaking helps to remove the paint. Coconut leaves and soft cloth are used to remove the oil.” Unexpected rain made some delay in their preparation but they are confident that they will finish all primary works on time. “We are getting full support from the Thrissur Municipal Corporation. They have been sponsoring gifts for these performances for the last 25 years. This time we are considering the dance, best dressed tigers, percussion, and discipline to select the winners.” This performance from such dedicated artists will certainly add more colour and fervor to our Onam.

                                                           Prof. John Kurakar