Puli kali (Meaning: Tiger Dance) is a recreational folk art from the state of Kerala, India. [1] It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam, an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala. [2]

Puli Kali, also known as the “Tiger Dance,” is a dazzling and vibrant festival celebrated in Kerala, India. Set to captivate audiences in 2025, Puli Kali is a dynamic showcase of traditional art and culture. Let’s explore what makes Puli Kali a must-see event, why it is performed, and where you can witness this remarkable spectacle.

Puli Kali is a unique recreational folk art form where artists paint themselves as tigers or leopards and dance across the streets. Puli Kali is celebrated with great gusto particularly in Thrissur district in the state of Kerala.

What is “Pulikali” in Kerala? Puli means “leopard” and Kali means “Play”. On the fourth day of Onam celebrations (Nalaam Onam), performers painted like tigers and hunters in bright yellow, red, and black dance to the beats of instruments like Udukku and Thakil.

Sep 13, 2024 · The 10-day harvest festival of Onam features one of Kerala’s most spectacular indigenous art forms: Pulikali, a folk dance of Kerala. Also known as Kaduvakali, this is the dance of the tiger where performers dress up as a puli (cheetah) or kaduva (tiger).

Onam is a time when one of Kerala’s most prominent indigenous art forms, Pulikali, is performed. In some places, it is also known as Kaduvakali. The rhythmic dance is enacted by artistes who are dressed as a puli (cheetah) or a kaduva (tiger).

Pulikali, also known as the Tiger Dance, is one of Kerala's most vibrant and unique folk art forms. Celebrated on the fourth day of the Onam festival, artists paint their bodies with stripes of yellow, red, and black to resemble tigers and dance to the rhythm of traditional percussion instruments such as thakil, udukku, and chenda.

Puli Kali. A colorful scene of Puli Kali: the tiger dance in Kerala, where performers wear bright, tiger-striped costumes and detailed face paint. The lively atmosphere is filled with traditional music, set against the lush green background of Kerala.

Sep 8, 2017 · Pulikkali or Puli Kali is a historical folk art in the state of Kerala. ‘Puli’ means Leopard / Tiger and ‘Kali’ means Play in Malayalam language. Puli Kali, seasonal folk art performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam, the annual harvest festival of Kerala.

Apr 12, 2020 · Puli Kali ("Puli" = Leopard/Tiger & "Kali" = Play in Malayalam language) also known as Kaduvakali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam, an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala.