Suresh Gopi factor: Thrissur Pulikali troupes to receive central aid for the first time

Thrissur: Pulikali troupes in Thrissur are set to receive financial support from the union government for the first time. The Ministry of Tourism has approved Rs 3 lakh for each troupe under the DPPH (Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality) scheme.

The funding follows the intervention of Thrissur MP and Union Minister Suresh Gopi. Sharing the news on Facebook, he described it as his “Onam gift” to the troupes and thanked Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for facilitating the approval. Gopi, who is also BJP’s lone MP from Kerala, played a key role in securing the support from the BJP-led centre.

Pulikali: Kerala’s tiger dance spectacle

Pulikali, also known as the Tiger Dance, is among Kerala's most colourful and distinctive folk art forms. Performed on the fourth day of Onam, artists paint their bodies in yellow, red, and black stripes to resemble tigers. They dance to the beats of traditional percussion instruments such as thakil, udukku, and chenda. Swaraj Ground in Thrissur hosts the festival, attracting locals and visitors who come to witness the celebration.

The performance centres on tiger hunting, with participants taking on the roles of tigers and hunters. Pulikalikkar undergo specialised training to master the dance. Body paint and face masks made from paper, glue, bicycle tubes, and rattan help achieve the tiger-like appearance, with dark yellow and black stripes and small spots on the belly.

Troupes including Pulimada, Melakot, and Viyyur observe 41 days of fasting from the first day of Karkidakam up to the fourth day of Onam. Costuming begins the night before the performance, and on the day, dancers offer coconuts to Lord Ganesha at Vadakkumnathan Temple before heading to Swaraj Round.

Tableaus are set up for spectators, while dancers perform to Pulimelam, composed by Thottungal Ramankutty Asan more than 70 years ago. Pulikali, with a history spanning about 200 years, is considered the oldest and most traditional form, tracing its origins to the Pancha-taking ceremony of the Pattani Muslims.

Pulikali showcases Kerala’s rich cultural heritage, blending folk art with community celebration, making it a must-see during Onam in Thrissur.