Once a year in September, the small town of Thrissur in Kerala (a state just west of Tamil Nadu) comes alive with swarms of "tigers." The display, called Pulikkali, meaning tiger play or tiger dance, has been taking place annually for over a century. It is part of the larger festival of Onam, which is especially popular in Kerala.
Hundreds of men, and a few young boys, spend hours getting their body painted from head to toe to resemble a tiger. Some don tiger face masks or attach tiger masks to their bellies. They then prance through the town in a choreographed, exuberant display, sometimes mimicking a tiger moving on its hind legs, at other times doing a frenzied dance to the beat of indigenous drummers. This spectacular display is crowded and rowdy (more on that later!), but great fun. Below, a selection of scenes from tiger-play.
Another winning photo for the BBC?? I've been thinking for awhile now that you were meant to be a foreign correspondent/news photographer.
Posted by: Dale B. | Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 01:31 PM
Great pictures, you captured the essence of the celebration. And thanks for introducing something new, at least to me.
Posted by: kevin g | Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 02:41 PM
The time that some of these folks put into painting objects and themselves just floors me!
Posted by: Shannon | Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 08:09 PM
I second Dale B's comment. Absolutely! Absolutely!
Posted by: DonnaK | Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 08:27 PM
And how many hours do Americans spend in front of the tube? Or on our precious computers? This seems to me a much more creative use of time. The tiger is Durga's vehicle is the festival tied into the Durga pujas?
Posted by: Sister M | Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 11:04 PM
Dale & Donna: Yeah, I've been thinking that too. Now, how to make it happen? ;o)
Kevin: You're welcome, always happy to help my readers learn-
Shannon: Yeah, I was amazed about that too. Lots of patience required-
Sister M: As far as I know, it does not have any connection to Durga. It's actually part of the larger Onam festival. There is a whole mythology and symbolism associated with Onam, but I don't think Durga plays any role. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though-
Posted by: Basia | Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 08:12 AM
Dale & Donna: Yeah, I've been thinking that too. Now, how to make it happen? ;o)"
Maybe you can start a career with National Geographic by submitting your photos here: ngm.com/yourshot
And remember--NG gives out grants to worthy world explorers!
Posted by: Dale B. | Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 12:21 PM
OMG! Furries!
Posted by: Bob Blobman | Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 05:11 PM
Hi Basia, I am from Thrissur and stumbled upon your blog while searching for Pulikkali. Great pics you have here!
Posted by: Jo | Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 12:36 PM
Thanks Jo-
Posted by: Basia | Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 10:52 AM