Dark clouds threatened, but nothing could silence the roar of nearly 450 tigers as Thrissur’s Pulikkali brought a vibrant, thunderous close to Onam celebrations on Saturday. The streets of Kerala’s cultural capital transformed into a moving carnival of color, rhythm, and raw energy, mesmerizing thousands who gathered despite a drizzly morning.

Key facts

  • Event: Pulikkali tiger dance festival
  • Date: August 29, 2026
  • Location: Thrissur, Kerala
  • Performers: ~450 across 9 teams
  • Highlight: Minister O.J. Janeesh flagged off the event at Swaraj Round at 4 p.m.

A Spectacle Centuries in the Making

More than just a festival, Pulikkali stands as one of Thrissur’s grandest annual spectacles, second only to the famed Thrissur Pooram. Weeks of meticulous preparation—body painting, drum rehearsals, float designs—culminated in this dazzling display. Each team fielded over 50 performers, with children and women adding fresh dynamism to the tradition.

“There is always a healthy rivalry among the participating teams,” said P.M. Shanavas, president of the Ollukkara Desam Pulikkali Sangam. “Teams compete to secure the best performers, body-art painters and drummers.”

New Faces, Timeless Traditions

This year’s Pulikkali saw heartfelt debuts, like Deepalakshmi and her son Yathi, who traveled from Kollam to join the tiger dance. “When I realised that women, too, could take part,” she shared, “I began thinking about wearing the tiger costume.” Their participation reflects a shifting landscape in a once male-dominated tradition, now embracing women, children, and transgender performers.

And then there were the stars—the pot-bellied tigers. The larger the belly, the more expressive the dance; with each drumbeat, painted faces wobbled and came alive, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd.

Dancing Through Controversy

The celebration unfolded against recent criticism from actor-writer V.K. Sreeraman, who called the spectacle an “artistic distortion.” But on the ground, such comments felt distant. Tableaux wove mythology with modern themes—from Operation Toofan to mobile addiction—while chenda drums thundered on. Nine teams from across Thrissur turned the city wild, proving that when Pulikkali takes over, tradition and transformation dance as one.