Pulikali or tiger dance is a recreational folk art form popular in the state of Kerala. Pot-bellied men dance to traditional music on the streets during Onam. Performers paint their bodies to look like tigers and hunters and match steps to beats of instruments entertaining people. The folk art is popular mostly in Thrissur district of Kerala and draws large crowds. Like every year, Swaraj Round in Thrissur city will host Pulikali this year too. The event will be held on August 28, 2018, at the popular ground in Thrissur.

Pulikali is believed to have been introduced by Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran (1751–1805), a ruler of the Kingdom of Cochin. Sakthan Thampuran was crucial in building Thrissur and hence the folk art is popular in the district and its surroundings. Onam 2018 Date: Story, Significance, Celebrations Related to Kerala's Harvest Festival

It is said that the folk dance was created to display the wildness of the people. The dance shows a tiger hunt as they are stalked by hunters. Participants dress as tigers and hunters by painting their bodies in various hues and masks. They apply oil paints to give it a more realistic look.

While the dance form has been male-dominated all these years, in 2016 women also participated in creating history. The entry of women in the 200-year-old traditional folk dance had made headlines with it being the first of its kind. Women had painted cat stripes over their tiger costumes and danced along with male 'tigers' as part of the Onam celebrations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2018 12:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).