Pulikali, sometimes called Kaduvakali, is a popular folk art performed during the
Onam season in
Kerala. Once performed all over the State, it is now seen mostly in
Thrissur and
Palakkad Districts. On the fourth day of Onam, Pulikali is a major public event in Thrissur. Men dress up and dance vigorously like tigers or leopards to the music of traditional percussion instruments. While paint alone was used earlier to cover the body, costumes are preferred these days. The dance sometimes includes enactments of tigers preying on goats and tigers being chased and killed by hunters.
