Mangaluru: Four days of practice, a recent leg injury and a hurried break from his job in Saudi Arabia could have kept Sudharma Mogaveer from delivering his best at this year’s Pilinalike and Pili Parba tiger dance competitions. Instead, the 21-year-old performer drew loud cheers with his backflips as the black tiger of Polali Tigers, securing his third consecutive Best Black Tiger award.
Despite limited preparation, Sudharma chose to compete, while carefully limiting the number of backflips he attempted to avoid aggravating his injury. His performance came against a backdrop of growing enthusiasm for tiger dance competitions across Mangaluru and neighbouring areas, where Pilinalike attracted huge crowds this year.
“I could have done one or two more flips, but I could not take that risk,” Sudharma said, explaining why he held back despite feeling capable of doing more.
“My body was sweating on stage. If I fell, it would affect both me and the team. I decided it was better to finish the performance safely,” he added.
For Sudharma, the competition was not just another performance. It was an opportunity to continue a winning streak despite the obstacles that had restricted his preparation.
Four days of practice before competition
Securing leave from his job in Saudi Arabia was difficult, and disruptions to flight services added to the challenge of returning in time for the competition. By the time he was ready to perform, Sudharma had managed only four days of practice.
His preparation had also been affected by a nerve-related injury near his toe, which had kept him away from flip practice for three weeks. Backflips are a demanding part of his performance, requiring control, timing and confidence, making the lack of preparation particularly challenging.
Even so, Sudharma entered the arena with Polali Tigers and delivered a performance that helped him retain the Best Black Tiger title for the third consecutive time.
“I have been doing Pili Vesha for five years and competing in Pilinalike for three years. By the grace of God, I have won the Best Black Tiger award all three times. It has become a hat-trick,” he said.
His decision to limit his flips reflected the importance of balancing individual performance with the safety and success of the team. Rather than risk a fall, he completed his routine without pushing beyond what he felt was safe.
From childhood backflips to professional performances
Sudharma’s journey into acrobatics began long before his rise in tiger dance competitions. He said he started attempting backflips around 11 years ago, but began treating the activity as his profession approximately five years ago.
His entry into Pili Vesha, however, was not immediate. His family initially did not permit him to take part in the traditional tiger dance. Repeated requests from teams eventually helped persuade them to allow him to perform.
The opportunities that followed enabled him to develop his skills, improving both his backflips and his dancing. Over time, what began as an interest in acrobatics grew into a performance career that took him beyond local competitions.
After leaving college, Sudharma worked at a garage before travelling to Bengaluru for gymnastics coaching. He subsequently shifted his attention towards performances and competitions as more opportunities came his way.
His experience reflects the effort that goes into developing the physical skills required for high-energy performances. While backflips often attract the most attention from audiences, Sudharma emphasised that his performances involve more than acrobatics alone.
“I do dance as well; it is not just about doing flips,” he said.
Television appearances and major-stage performances
Sudharma’s growing experience has brought him opportunities to perform on larger platforms. He has appeared on television dance programmes and talent shows, gaining exposure beyond the traditional tiger dance circuit.
He has also performed with Kings United during the 2026 T20 World Cup final celebrations and at the opening ceremony of the Chennai Super Kings.
These appearances have added to his experience as a performer, while his continued participation in Pili Vesha and Pilinalike keeps him connected to the traditional art form.
His latest achievement at the competition is particularly notable because it came despite his injury and limited preparation. For Sudharma, however, the recognition is not solely an individual accomplishment.
“I am only one part of the team. Everyone has worked hard,” he said, acknowledging the collective effort behind the performance.
Aiming for a record with 62 flips in 50 seconds
Apart from his tiger dance performances, Sudharma has also been working to push the limits of his flipping ability. He has recorded himself completing 62 flips in 50 seconds and plans to pursue a record based on the feat.
His ambition points towards a future in which he hopes to combine his acrobatic abilities with more performance opportunities. However, his latest experience at Pilinalike has also underlined the importance of preparation and managing injury risks.
Looking ahead, Sudharma said he wants to return next year with a stronger team and better preparation. The aim is to build on this year’s achievement while delivering an even more complete performance.
The response to his latest outing has been unlike anything he had experienced before, he said, reflecting the growing public interest in the competition and the excitement surrounding tiger dance performances.
Growing enthusiasm for Pilinalike
The increased attention surrounding Sudharma comes as Pilinalike and Pili Parba continue to attract larger audiences across Mangaluru and the surrounding region. The competitions bring together performers who combine traditional tiger-body painting and dance with demanding movements and acrobatics.
Santosh Polali, founding president of Polali Tigers, said the troupe was established in 2016 and that public enthusiasm for the competitions had grown steadily over the years.
“This year the craze was much higher,” he said.
The growing crowds have helped bring greater visibility to performers such as Sudharma, whose combination of tiger dance and acrobatics has made him a crowd favourite.
For the young performer, the third consecutive Best Black Tiger award marks another milestone in a journey that began with childhood backflips and developed through family negotiations, training and repeated performances.
Despite the injury and the short preparation period, Sudharma completed his performance with safety in mind and shared the credit with his teammates. He now hopes to return next year better prepared, with a stronger team and fresh ambitions.