Mangaluru: The 11th edition of Pilinalike, the popular tiger dance (Huli Vesha) competition organised by Pilinalike Prathishtana, will be held at the Karavali Utsav Grounds in Mangaluru on October 20, bringing together nine invited teams to celebrate the coastal region’s traditional art form.

The event is expected to draw thousands of spectators, with organisers making elaborate arrangements to accommodate the audience and provide a platform for performers who keep the region’s cultural traditions alive. A German tent covering 50,000 square feet is being installed at the venue, with seating facilities planned for 30,000 spectators.

Pilinalike has emerged as a prominent platform for showcasing Huli Vesha, a traditional tiger dance performed during Navaratri across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The competition was first introduced in 2014 to promote the art form, encourage its performers and preserve an important part of the coastal region’s cultural identity.

Elaborate arrangements for the competition

Speaking at a press conference, Pilinalike Prathishtana founder and Congress leader Mithun M Rai said extensive preparations were under way for the 11th edition.

Each participating team will be allotted 20 minutes to perform. The performances will be evaluated on several criteria, including synchronisation, body painting, movements and other aspects of the presentation.

The competition is expected to showcase the distinctive styles of the participating groups, with performers combining traditional tiger-inspired body painting, energetic dance movements and coordinated performances accompanied by percussion.

The arrangements at the Karavali Utsav Grounds are intended to ensure that a large audience can witness the performances comfortably. With seating planned for 30,000 people, the event is expected to be one of the major cultural attractions in Mangaluru during the festive season.

The organisers are also looking to bring wider attention to the traditional performers and the cultural significance of Huli Vesha, which continues to be an important feature of Navaratri celebrations in the coastal districts.

Prominent personalities expected to attend

The event will feature several prominent personalities from sports, cinema and public life.

Cricketer Dinesh Karthik, boxer Vijender Singh, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and actor Unni Mukundan are among the star attractions expected at the programme.

Rai said Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar was expected to attend the event. District in-charge Minister U T Khader and Udupi District in-charge Minister Arshad Rizwan are also expected to participate.

The presence of personalities from different fields is expected to add to the event’s appeal and bring further visibility to the traditional art form.

The organisers are also planning to felicitate achievers and artists who have made notable contributions in their respective fields.

Asian Games gold medallist M R Poovamma and mixed martial arts fighter Nikhil Shetty will be honoured during the programme. Artists from Pixncil Studio, who created alpana, a traditional Bengali folk art, along the road leading to Kudroli Temple, will also be felicitated.

The recognition is intended to acknowledge achievements in sports and artistic expression while highlighting the role of cultural practitioners in enriching public spaces and community celebrations.

Nine teams to compete for top honours

Nine invited teams will compete in this year’s edition of Pilinalike. The participating teams are Shivashakthi Tigers, Talent Tigers Tulunadu, Mulihithlu Games Team, Junior Boys Chilimbi, Friend Bappal, Emmekere Friends Circle, Someshwara Friends, Gorakshanatha Huli and Polali Tigers.

The competition will feature cash prizes for the leading teams, with the organisers offering substantial rewards to recognise the performers’ efforts and preparation.

The winning team will receive Rs 10 lakh, while the second-place team will be awarded Rs 5 lakh. The third-place team will receive Rs 3 lakh.

In addition to the team prizes, individual awards of Rs 50,000 each will be presented in five categories. These include best kappu huli, best mari huli, best taase accompaniment, best akki mudi toss using the mouth and best bannagarike.

Each participating team will also receive Rs 50,000, providing financial support to the groups taking part in the competition.

The prize structure is intended to encourage participation and recognise different aspects of the performances, including traditional presentation, artistic skill and musical coordination.

Organisers seek financial support for Huli Vesha teams

Beyond the competition, the organisers have highlighted the financial difficulties faced by many Huli Vesha artistes and teams.

Rai said Huli Vesha was an integral part of the cultural heritage of the coastal region, but the performers who preserve the tradition were often not financially well-off.

To address this concern, Pilinalike Prathishtana has urged the state government to announce an annual grant of Rs 2 lakh for every registered Huli Vesha team in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district.

According to Rai, there are 150 registered teams across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The proposed grant is intended to provide sustained financial assistance to the groups and help them continue their cultural activities.

The organisers hope that regular government support will ease the financial burden associated with preparing for performances, maintaining costumes and equipment, and participating in festivals and competitions.

Rai said the Chief Minister was expected to make an announcement on the proposal soon. However, the proposed annual grant remains a request from the organisers, and no confirmed government decision was stated at the press conference.

The demand also draws attention to the broader challenge of sustaining traditional performance arts, which depend heavily on community participation and the commitment of performers.

Growing number of tiger dance competitions

Pilinalike was launched in 2014 with the aim of promoting Huli Vesha and providing a dedicated competitive platform for its performers. Since then, several other tiger dance competitions have emerged at different locations across the coastal region.

Responding to a question about the growing number of such events, Rai said the development was encouraging for artistes.

This year, competitions are being held at 10 locations, including Manjeshwara, Puttur, Kaup, Byndoor, Udupi, Nehru Maidan and Ujire.

The increasing number of events offers teams more opportunities to perform, gain recognition and earn prize money. It also reflects the continuing popularity of Huli Vesha among communities in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

Traditionally performed during Navaratri as an offering to a deity in fulfilment of a vow, Huli Vesha combines devotion, physical endurance, distinctive body painting and rhythmic movement. The performances are closely associated with the region’s festive atmosphere and attract audiences of different generations.

With nine teams competing, prominent guests expected to attend and a large venue being prepared, the 11th edition of Pilinalike aims to combine cultural celebration with recognition for the artistes who sustain the tradition.

The organisers’ appeal for annual financial assistance also places the spotlight on the need to support traditional performers beyond individual competitions. The event will therefore serve not only as a showcase of tiger dance talent but also as an opportunity to draw attention to the long-term preservation of Huli Vesha in coastal Karnataka.