Now Reading: Kerala children revive Pulikali folk tradition for Onam
-
01
Kerala children revive Pulikali folk tradition for Onam
Children in Kurampala, Pandalam, are reviving the traditional Pulikali folk performance this Thiruvonam, going door to door with an eco-friendly tiger dance. The young performers use dried banana leaves for tiger costumes…
Children in Kurampala, Pandalam, are reviving the traditional Pulikali folk performance this Thiruvonam, going door to door with an eco-friendly tiger dance. The young performers use dried banana leaves for tiger costumes and handmade masks. Children dressed as hunters carry toy guns and act out the chase, turning village streets into a festive stage.
Pulikali centres on a tiger entering a village and being hunted by locals, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The Kurampala initiative offers a grassroots version that is simpler than the large Thrissur celebrations, where performers use elaborate body paint. By using locally available materials, the children keep the tradition accessible and sustainable.
The main Onam day, Thiruvonam, falls on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The children’s performances add to the festive atmosphere while keeping an old village practice alive in the community.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Pulikali, traditionally performed by adults in Thrissur with elaborate body paint, has faded in many Kerala villages amid changing festival tastes. The Kurampala children's initiative shows how a younger generation can sustain the art without large budgets or trained performers. Their use of banana leaves echoes the original practice, which relied on natural materials before synthetic costumes became common. The district's local authorities have not yet commented on whether this revival will be included in official Onam programmes. For neighbouring villages, the model offers a low-cost template to keep folk traditions alive during the festival season.
Source: news.abplive.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
