Beyond the Aesthetic: Counter-Beauty and the Politics of Corporeal Communication in Pulikali

Abstract

Pulikali is the most popular and colourful folk art form of Kerala. When the words ‘Puli’ and ‘Kali’ are combined, the game that imitates the appearance and movements of a leopard is called Pulikali. Pulikali, which is held as part of the Onam celebrations, especially in the Thrissur district of Kerala state, has become one of the cultural symbols of Kerala state today. Pulikali is a popular festival where players take on the appearance of a leopard and take to the streets. After painting their entire bodies in yellow, black, white and red to create the appearance of a leopard, many people take to the streets in groups and attract people by moving their feet to the rhythm of music. Pulikkali has earned a unique place in the history of popular art and culture in Kerala. It is not just entertainment; it is a participatory art form of the people that has risen from the foundations of society. It is a democratic art performance that questions the structures of power and turns the street into a platform for people to celebrate. The counter-beauty of transforming the body itself into an art form maintains Pulikali as a rare creation among the world’s popular art forms. Therefore, Pulikalli is not just an art form; it is a celebration of popular solidarity and a powerful reflection of social resistance.