Pulikali - the tiger-dance during Onam

Pulikali is a folk art, which is about 200 years old. Also known as kaduvakali, a typical pulikali will have men numbering three or more, wearing the masks of tiger and their bodies painted in yellow and black stripes. They dance to the rhythm generated by accompanying percussion instruments like the udukku and thakil. The performance also has a hunter, who tries to shoot the tigers, while the tigers do their best to evade him.

The best place to watch this entertaining folk art of Kerala is during the grand festival of Onam at the Swaraj Round in the town of Thrissur. The performance here takes place on the fourth day of Onam celebrations.