Jallikattu: Taming the Bulls in Tamil Nadu, India

Jallikatu: Meaning

Jallikatu, in Tamil language, means 'Bull Taming' or ‘Bull Fight’. Jallikatu is derived from two different words ‘salli’ and ‘katu.’ In Tamil Salli means coin (may be gold coin) and katu means tying the coin either in the neck strap or around the horns of the raging bull. Youths will attempt to grab the money and the bull will counter them and even injure them. Finally the tamer gets the coin. Some compare jallikatu to Spain's bullfights.

History

It is an ancient Tamil sports. There are evidences about this sports in ancient Tamil (Sangam Period) literature Exact term in Tamil is ‘Yeru Thaluvudal' (hugging the bull). The kings, chieftains, landlords and other commons will choose their bridegroom during jallikatu. Their bulls are allowed to counter the competing youths. The successful tamer would get to marry the maiden. It is also interesting to note the evidences from district gazetteer of Madurai district and according to the evidences the jallikatu has been around for over 400 years.

Popular in South Tamil Nadu

Even now this sport is popular in South Tamil Nadu. It is popular in Madurai, Sivagangai, Tiruchi, Pudukkottai, Karur and Salem Districts of Tamil Nadu. The most popular places are Alanganallur, Tiruvapur, and Palamedu. The Alanganallur Jallikatu, held around 15th of January every year in a village near Madurai, is most popular and attracts lot of international tourists.

Crowd Pulling Event

It is an amazing sport showing valor and strength by enthusiastic youths. You will find lot of excitement for this spectacular event. Lot of people swells and ebbs in these villages. You will find people everywhere. They gather in thousands. They will find comfortable view points i.e., roof of the buildings, tree tops, by-lanes, on top of bullock carts and every other possible locations. The bulls are sporting color powder on forehead, neck and body. They appear ferocious with their sharp horns. They wear garlands, new long clothe tied on its neck.

How the Sports Event Goes?

Usually a vast area is used for this sport. The bulls keep coming with their owners. After screening the bulls will be admitted one by one into an enclosure. You will find a small passage (thitti vassal) for the bulls to come out.

You may find also few youths bubbling with spirits will venture forward. You may find them making attempt to tame the bull. They will cover and hold the bull’s hump and run along with the animal. The animal in turn will attempt to jump and get away from them. Sometimes the animals try to pierce the people with their horns. Bulls will keep on coming and the muscular men will be after every bull. Some will stand look back the crowd and some will try to escape. Men will be after every bull. Some will fall down from the ferocious animal violently. They may even bleed. The very next minute he will be ready to continue the fight.

The scenes are emotionally charged. The spectators are anxious and keep encouraging the bull tamers. When they are badly injured they are sympathetic. The crowd rejoices till the last bull is let out. The winners now get prizes like gold chains, coins, watches, cash awards or cycles. If none has tamed the bull the prize goes to bull owner. The event ends and the tired crowd slowly disperses.

Big Debate Over the Sports

Animal lovers or sympathizers think that the animal is tortured. Their complaint is that the bull owners feed alcohol and even spray chili powder before the animal is allowed to go. Some other thinks that jallikatu is the ‘Blood Sport’ The media announce voting far and against this sport. There campaigns against this sport and strong recommendations for total ban. The sports and cultural activists argue in support of the sports. They argue that the sport is the symbol of Tamil culture. It has its own history. Why it should be banned?

The Supreme Court of India

Last year the Jallikatu was banned by the Supreme Court of India. However after representations from Government of Tamil Nadu the court had revoked the ban. The court instructed the district collectors to ensure certain conditions and precautions. The precautions are prevention of cruelty to animal and protection of men from injuries. Now the ambulances are stationed near the place. The animals are screened before jallikatu. Lot of police men are positioned to prevent cruelty to animals.

Reference Sources

1) Article Archive -Will TN bull-taming fest get SC go-ahead? http://www.articlearchives.com/government-public-administration/government-bodies-offices/1699021-1.html