Pulikali leaves foreign visitors spellbound in Thrissur

Thrissur: Painted head to toe and roaring to the drumbeats, Thrissur’s “human tigers” left a delegation of tourism leaders from 10 countries spellbound. The delegates, along with representatives from various Indian states, witnessed the Pulikali extravaganza under the aegis of the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission Society. The Sreejeevam Responsible Tourism Club in Thrissur hosted the event.

The visitors — including tourism leaders, academicians, and tour operators from the UK, France, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Romania — took part in a cultural exchange initiative organised at the directive of Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas.

“Our mission was to understand Pulikali at close quarters and introduce it to the world. That goal has been fully met,” said K Rupesh Kumar, CEO of the Responsible Tourism Mission, who accompanied the team.

The delegation was accorded a grand welcome at Seetharammill Desam, complete with tender coconut, traditional songs, and folk meals. They observed the intricate body painting and tiger makeup sessions, and some even joined the dancers to try the steps themselves. Interaction with the Pulikali artistes added to their thrill.

As a memento, the visitors received Thrissur’s pride — the ornate nettipattam (golden caparison) that adorns elephants at temple festivals — presented by the Responsible Tourism Mission.

The delegates carried home the roar and rhythm of Swaraj Round’s Pulikali, marking the first time such a large multinational team experienced Kerala’s Onam celebrations and its iconic tiger dance tradition up close.