Tigers take over Thrissur’s Swaraj Round as Pulikali brings city alive today

Thrissur: After the grandeur of the Thrissur Pooram, the city will once again come alive with its iconic tiger dance as Pulikali takes over the Swaraj Round today. The beats of traditional percussion will reverberate across the city by evening as hundreds of performers take part in the vibrant Onam celebration.

Around 400 Pulikali performers from nine teams will participate this year. The participating teams are Viyyur Yuvajana Sangham, Kuttankulangara Desam, Patturaykkal Desam, Punkunnam Seetharam Mill Desam, Chakkamukku Desam, Kanattukara Desam, Olarikkara, Shankaramkulangara Desam and Ayyanthole Desam. Olarikkara Desam will make its debut in Pulikali this year.

Each team will have between 35 and 51 Pulikali performers, accompanied by percussion groups comprising 25 to 35 members. Various tableaux will also accompany the teams during the procession.

A local holiday has been declared in the Thrissur taluk area from this afternoon in connection with Pulikali.

The performers' transformation into tigers began as early as 6 am today. Artists have to remain standing for several hours while their bodies are painted. It takes nearly eight hours to complete the intricate tiger patterns. To prevent the enamel paint from sticking to their bodies, performers stand with both hands supported on wooden poles. They remain in this position until it is time to take part in the evening procession.

The Pulikali procession will be officially flagged off at 4 pm at Bini Junction on Swaraj Round by Minister for Sports, Youth Welfare, Registration, and Archaeology O J Janeesh.

Each Pulikali team will present two tableaux based on mythological and contemporary themes. The corporation’s ‘Haritha Vahanam’ tableau, which featured in previous editions, has been dropped this year. However, as part of anti-drug awareness initiatives, the police and the corporation will jointly present a special public tableau titled ‘Operation Toofan’.

The designated judging points for the competition are near Paramekkavu Temple, M O Road and Naduvilal Junction. Special pavilions have also been arranged at Naduvilal Junction for foreign visitors coming to witness the spectacle. The facilities have been organised jointly by the district administration, Department of Culture and Thrissur Corporation.

The corporation has arranged 250 litres of drinking water for each Pulikali team, along with 120 litres of kerosene to help performers remove the paint from their bodies after the event.

The judging is expected to be completed by around 9 pm. The corporation will distribute cash prizes and trophies in nine categories. The winning team will receive ₹70,000, while the second- and third-place teams will receive ₹60,000 and ₹50,000, respectively.

Prizes will also be awarded to the top three performers in individual categories, including mythological tableaux, contemporary tableaux, Pulikottu (percussion), tiger costume, tiger vehicle, tiger painting and Pulichamayam. A special prize of ₹20,000 will be given to the team that maintains the best discipline. For the first time, a prize has also been introduced for Pulichamayam, recognising the overall presentation and embellishment of the tiger performers.