A Polish woman residing in Kerala recently drew attention by learning the state’s celebrated Pulikali (tiger dance) performance during Onam festivities. She joined local performers in Thrissur, attempting to mimic the dance moves while absorbing the rhythms and energy of the celebration.
Sharing her experience, she said she never expected to find herself in the city, swept up by the drumbeats and cheers, practicing Pulikali under the guidance of local artists. Though she didn’t bear the painted tiger stripes herself, she was warmly invited to join in, immersing herself in the cultural spirit of the event.
The public responded with enthusiasm and admiration. Viewers lauded her willingness to embrace the tradition and praised the cultural vibrancy on display.
Pulikali—literally “tiger play”—is a folk art performed during Onam, especially in the Thrissur region. Dancers paint their bodies in vivid yellow, red, and black to resemble tigers or leopards, moving in sync with percussion instruments like the chenda and thakil. The dance is both spectacle and ritual, drawing crowds that cheer as the performers prance and enact scenes of the tiger’s mythical hunts.
