Monday, May 07, 2012

Jallikattu (Tamil: சல்லிகட்டு) or Eruthazhuvuthal (Tamil: ஏருதழுவுதல்) or Manju Virattu

Jallikattu (Tamil: சல்லிகட்டு) or Eruthazhuvuthal (Tamil: ஏருதழுவுதல்) or Manju Virattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations usually on Mattu Pongal day. This is one of the oldest living ancient sports seen in the modern era. Although it sounds similar to the Spanish running of the bulls, it is quite different. In Jallikattu, the bull is not killed and the 'matadors' are not supposed to use any weapon. It is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu as a part of the village festival.

The festivals are held from January to July, every year. Jallikattu's been played first in Palamedu,a village located near madurai on January 15 which was getting famous in recent years followed by the world-famous "Alanganallur-Jallikattu" in Alanganallur, another village near Madurai on 16 January. There is specific breed of cattle bred for this purpose which are called by two common name, Jellicut and from the place of a big breeder Pulikulam (புலிகுளம்).

Jallikattu is based on the simple concept of "flight or fight or sometimes freeze". Cattle being herd and prey animals in general tend to run away from unwanted situations. But there are quite noteworthy exceptions. Cape buffalos are famous for standing up against lions and killing them. The Indian Gaur bull is known for standing its ground against predators and tigers think twice about attacking a full grown Gaur bull. Aurochs, the ancestor of domestic cattle was known for its pugnacious nature. The majority of Jallikattu bulls belong to the pulikulam breed of cattle. These cattle are reared in huge herds numbering in hundreds with a few cowherds tending to them. These cattle are for all practical comparisons, wild and only the cowherds can mingle with them without any fear of being attacked. It is from these herds that calves with good characteristics and body conformation are selected and reared to become Jallikattu bulls. These bulls attack not because they are irritated or agitated or frightened, but because that is their basic nature. Other breeds of cattle that are suitable for jallikattu are the palingu(or naatu) maadu, the umblachery and the malai maadu.

20:32 Tags : Jallikattu (Tamil: சல்லிகட்டு) or Eruthazhuvuthal (Tamil: ஏருதழுவுதல்) or Manju Virattu