Pulikali: 'Tigresses' vault into history in Thrissur | Pix, Video

Saturday 17 September 2016 10:57 PM IST

by Our Correspondent

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Another male bastion crumbles. For the first time in history, a bunch of women performed pulikali, in the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur. The traditional event held as part of Onam celebration had been a men's forte.

N.A. Vinaya, ASI of Kerala Police Academy, Sakheena, a fashion designer from Kozhikode and Divya, a high school teacher from Nilambur were among the leopardesses in the pulikali fete this time.

Pulikali is usually performed by potbellied men with face of leopards artfully painted on their bare tummies dancing through the streets. It is a major attraction during the festive season and draws huge crowds from far and near.

Women participants perform Pulikali in Thrissur on Saturday. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy

The female participants said they chose to take part in the event in a bid to prove equality of women at par with their male counterparts in all realms.

Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

In a first, women perform Pulikali in Thrissur on Saturday. Photo: Unni Kottackal
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

In a first, women perform Pulikali in Thrissur on Saturday. Photo: Unni Kottackal
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

In a first, women perform Pulikali in Thrissur on Saturday. Photo: Unni Kottackal
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

In a first, women perform Pulikali in Thrissur on Saturday. Photo: Unni Kottackal
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artists have their body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artists have their body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artists have their body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artists have their body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artist has his body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artist has his body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artist has his body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Tiger masks for the Pulikali performance. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artist has his body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artists have their body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artists have their body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artist has his body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history

Pulikali artist has his body painted as part of the Pulikali performance on the fourth day of the Onam festival. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy