Keralam Tourism Minister Vishnunadh said insulting people based on their body or appearance could not be accepted and should be opposed. Photo: X screenshot
‘Pulikali’ body-shaming remarks unacceptable: Keralam Tourism Minister Vishnunadh
PC Vishnunadh backs Pulikali artists, calls folk art ‘world-class’; government to raise financial aid to participating teams
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21 (PTI) Keralam Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh on Friday said the controversy surrounding 'Pulikali' during the Onam season was unfortunate and the remarks that triggered it amounted to body-shaming, which was unacceptable in a civilised society.
Pulikali is a vibrant folk art from Keralam in which performers paint their bodies in bright tiger-like stripes and take to the streets in Thrissur during the Onam festival, dancing to traditional percussion and celebrating the harvest season.
Actor-writer V K Sreeraman recently described Pulikali as an "artistic distortion that makes one feel nauseous when seen." He went on to describe the performers' exaggerated physical features as unnatural and said that portraying them in that manner as part of the art form was vulgar.
The remark drew widespread criticism, prompting Sreeraman to express regret.
In a Facebook post, Vishnunadh said the controversy had caused distress among Pulikali artists and should have been avoided.
"I noticed the remark that led to the controversy. Body-shaming is not appropriate in a civilised society. It also saddened me that such a remark came from beloved Sreeraman, who has taught all of us to look at things from different perspectives," he said.
Vishnunadh said insulting people based on their body or appearance could not be accepted and should be opposed.
He said Pulikali had evolved over the years while retaining its contemporary relevance. Women had also entered the traditionally male-dominated art form by bringing the politics of gender equality into Pulikali, he said.
"I congratulate the Pulikali teams that have embraced that change," he said, adding that the time and dedication taken by artists to paint themselves as tigers and perform the dance was remarkable.
Vishnunadh also pointed out that tiger-themed folk performances were not confined to Keralam.
Similar traditions included 'Puliattam' in Tamil Nadu, 'Huli Vesha' in Karnataka, 'Bagh Nach' in Odisha and 'Manavi Wagh' in Maharashtra.
He said tiger dances were also performed in different forms in countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Mexico and Indonesia.
"Pulikali is a world-class art form. The Culture and Tourism Departments will ensure the welfare of Pulikali, its artists and the participating teams," he said.
The minister also said the government had decided to increase the financial assistance provided to Pulikali teams from this year. "You are tigers. Keep your steps going," Vishnunadh added. PTI