Hundreds of men painted in tiger stripes performed Pulikali or the tiger dance in Kochi recently, marking the end of the ten-day harvest festival of Onam.
The celebrations for Onam start on Atham day, ten days before Thiruvonam, which is the most important day of Onam. This year Thiruvonam fell on August 28.
Spectators flocked to streets in Kochi to see the cultural and colourful extravaganza as the dancers performed Pulikali, also known as Kadavuakalli. It is believed to be performed for over 200 hundred years now, when a king Ramavarma introduced the folk art in Kerala.
Performers - both young and old - belonging to different villages paint their whole body and dance on drum beats in the streets of their respected villages. Later, they all meet at the centre.
Tourists from across the world were enthralled to be there.
"This is incredible. I went to see all the make-up this morning, and now this (dance). It's fantastic, well organised, everything. I thoroughly enjoyed it," said a British travel journalist, Bernard.
Some even travelled especially for the Onam festivities.
"I came to Kerala with my friend just for this festival, to see the Pulikali dance. I think it's a great thing, a great event," said a Russian tourist, Lidiya.
The tiger dance was accompanied by a display of tableaux showcasing the culture of the state.
Onam is celebrated in the honour of King Mahabali under whom the state had witnessed its golden period. It is said that Mahabali visits Kerala during these ten days.
Onam falls in the month of 'Chingam', which is the first month according to Malayalam calendar.
