Malayalam actor regrets Pulikali remarks after backlash

Actor and writer VK Sreeraman has expressed regret over his comments criticising Thrissur’s traditional Pulikali (Tiger dance), after the remarks triggered strong protests from Pulikali groups and artists. In a Facebook post, Sreeraman said he understood that his comments and the words he used had caused distress to performers and others associated with the traditional performance.

Sreeraman had earlier criticised Pulikali in a Facebook post, describing the use of men’s protruding stomachs as a form of physical deformity used for art, and called the performance an artistic distortion that could cause nausea. The remarks drew criticism from Pulikali groups, who accused him of insulting the bodies and hard work of performers who spend hours getting painted before performing for several hours with heavy anklets.

Representatives of nine organising committees associated with Pulikali had demanded a public apology and that he withdraw the post. In his latest post, Sreeraman accepted that his earlier opinion lacked maturity and expressed regret. He also said he hoped artists and organisers would work to make the dance form more aesthetically appealing.