Pulikali, which will bring curtains down for Onam Celebrations in Thrissur, will be performed on Monday.
Carnival spirit will grip the city as more than 400 men, dressed up like tigers and leopards roam around the city in crude dance movements with accompaniment of drums.
Tens of thousands of people will throng the Swaraj round to watch them and to immerse in the carnival mood.
Tiger dens are busy with activities. The performers, most of them with pot-bellies, will get their bodies painted in yellow and black. Almost all teams have exhibited their accoutrements for the show, including masks and dresses. Preparations started almost a month ago.
The City Corporation has distributed Rs. one lakh for each participating team. Eight teams are participating in the Pulikali performance this year for the Mayor’s trophy. The contingents are from Poothole, Kottappuram centre, Kottappuram Desam, Punkunnam Centre, Mylippadam, West Fort, Naikkanal and Cheroor. Each team will have minimum 41 performers. Tableaux will accompany the teams. This time City Corporation has announced prize for body painters and mela pramani of the Pulikali too.
The first, second and third prize winning teams will get Rs. 35,000, Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 20,000 respectively. Consolation prizes of Rs. 30,000, Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 20,000 will be given for first, second and third winners of tableaux.
