Thrissur: Marking the end of the Onam celebrations in Thrissur, hundreds took part in the spectacular 'Pulikali', a traditional folk art form, here on Saturday.
Processions were held by various Pulikali teams, and artists, dressed as tigers, from different regions converged at Swaraj Round.
For the first time in history, a group of women performed pulikali, the traditional event which had been a men's forte until last year.
The women created history dancing to the beat of drums along with over 500 male counterparts, wearing tiger masks and body painted with the face of big cat.
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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]()
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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]()
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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]()
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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]()
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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]()
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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]()
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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]()
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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]()
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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]()
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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]()
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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]()
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Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history
Tiger masks for the Pulikali performance. Photo: Kevin Mathew Roy
![Pulikali: Celebrating pug marks of history]()
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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]()
The annual folk fiesta was held in front of the famed Vadakkunnatha Siva temple in the city as part of the Onam festivities.
Believed to have been introduced by erstwhile ruler of Cochin Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran two centuries ago, Pulikali is a symbolic representation of bravery and wild spirit.
A large number of trained artistes, painted as tigers and hunters, danced to the beats of instruments such as 'udukku' and 'takil'.
Three women--N A Vinaya, Divya and Sakheena -- members of Women Integration and Growth through Sports (WINGS), an NGO, earlier told media they would take part in the folk art along with the other male artistes to break the gender barriers.
Vinaya said it was an opportunity for them to leave a mark in an area in which only men were till now involved.
"It is a beginning and we want more women to come forward and participate in it. Organisations should also show readiness to include more women participants in the traditional art form," she said.
Symbolic 'tigers', dancing, pouncing and shaking their bellies along the road, attracted thousands of people, including foreigners.
A large number of spectators thronged both sides of city roads to catch a glimpse of the artistes. The artistes, young and old, including a 72-year-old veteran, participated in the event.
Uthrittathi boat race
Meanwhile, the famed Aranmula Uthrittathi boat race was held in river Pampa in Pathnamthitta district as part of Onam festivities.
Hundreds of people thronged both banks of the river to cheer the participating boats in the event, which is also a major tourist attraction.
(With agency inputs)
