JALLIKATTU _ A TRADITIONAL SPORT _ BREEDING _ HISTORY _ PREPARATION

JALLIKATTU - A TRADITIONAL SPORT 

 

 

Jallikattu (or sallikkattu), also known as eru thazhuvuthal and mañcuvirattu , is a disputed traditional event in which a bull called Bos Indicus, such as the Pulikulam or Kangeyam breeds, is released into a crowd of people, and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull's back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. Participants hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull's horns.

Jallikattu is typically practised in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day, which occurs annually in January.

As there were incidents of injury and death associated with the sport, both to the participants and to the animals forced into it, animal rights organizations have called for a ban to the sport, resulting in the court banning it several times over the past years. However, with protest from the people against the ban, a new ordinance was made in 2017 to continue the sport.

ETYMOLOGY

Ancient Tamil Sangams described the practice as yeru thazhuvuthal literally 'bull embracing'. The modern term jallikattu or sallikattu is derived from salli ('coins') and kattu ('package'), which refers to a prize of coins that are tied to the bull's horns and that participants attempt to retrieve. Manju virattu literally means 'bull chasing'.

HISTORY

Jallikattu has been known to be practiced during the Tamil classical period (400-100 BCE). It was common among the Ayar people who lived in the ‘Mullai’ geographical division of the ancient Tamil country. Later, it became a platform for display of bravery, and prize money was introduced for participation encouragement. A seal from the Indus Valley Civilization depicting the practice is preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi. A cave painting in white kaolin discovered near Madurai depicting a lone man trying to control a bull is estimated to be about 1,500 years old.

BREEDING

 

 

Bos Indicus bulls are breed specifically by people of the village for the event. Bulls that are able to participate successfully in the Jallikattu event are used as studs for breeding. These bulls also fetch higher prices in the markets. 

 

PREPARATION

With the introduction of the Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009, by the Tamil Nadu legislature, the following activities were done in preparation of the event:

1. A written permission is obtained from the respective collector, thirty days prior to conduct of event along with notification of the event location.
2. The arena and the way through which the bulls pass through is double-barricaded, in order to avoid injuries to the spectators and by-standers who may be permitted to remain within the barricades.
3. The necessary gallery areas are built up along the double barricades.
4. The necessary permissions are obtained from the collector for the participants and the bulls fifteen days prior.
5. Final preparation before the event include a complete testing by the authorities of the Animal Husbandry Department, to ensure that performance enhancement drugs, liquor or other irritants are not used on the bulls.

 FAMOUS JALLIKATTU LOCATIONS IN TAMILNADU

1.  Alanganallur
   
2.  Avaniapuram
   
3.  Tiruvapur near Pudukottai
   
4.  Thammampatti in Salem, Tamil Nadu
   
5.  Palemedu near Madurai
   
6.  Sravayal near Karaikudi
   
7.  Kanduppatti near Sivagangai
   
8.  Venthanpatti near Ponnamaravathy, Pudukottai (Dist)
   
9.  Pallavarayanpatty near Cumbum

IMPORTANCE OF JALLIKATTU

Jallikattu is important to every rural armer o the state as it is an opportunity to launt the strength of the bulls and love they have for their cattle. Tamilians do not consider it as a leisure sport. It is a tradition that never fails to establish the self sufficient, hard working, powerful Tamil culture. It also symbolises the amazing man and animal relationship as a farmers consider these bulls to be a member of their family. 

 

JALLIKATTU PROTEST

The Animal Welfare Board of India filed a case in Supreme Court of India for an outright ban on jallikattu because of the cruelty to the animals and the threat to public safety involved. On 7 May 2014, the Supreme Court of India struck down the State law and banned jallikattu altogether.

1)PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and AWBI (Animal Welfare Board of India) first filed a plea against Jallikatu in the year 2004. In 2010, the apex court allowed cultural sport to be played for a period of five months in a year. However, it completely banned Jallikattu in 2014.

2) In June, 2016, the issue once again came in front of  Supreme Court. A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra issued an order warning the Tamil Nadu government, for carrying out the sports. “Jallikattu cannot be merely allowed just because it was a century-old tradition. Whether it shall be continued will be decided legally,” Justice Mishra said.

3) However, O Panneerselvam who took over as the Chief Minister after Jayalalithaa’s death, had vowed to start Jallikattu again on the auspicious day of Pongal. The state once again filed a fresh appeal to allow Tamilians organise Jallikattu.

4) However, in a setback to O Paneerselvam’s intensions,  the bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Banumathi on January 12, 2017, declined to issue an interim order to allow Jallikattu just before Pongal.  The bench remarked, “Though the draft of the judgment is ready, it’s not possible to pass the verdict before Saturday when it is to be held. We also want to say that it is unfair of the petitioner to ask the bench to pass an order.”

5) At this point, Supreme Court’s deferring of the much-awaited verdict led to the mass protests. Thousands of protestors, mostly students, thronged Chennai’s Marina beach angered by the apex court’s stance.

6) In wake of mass protests, state government, led by Chief Minister O Pannerselvam, approached centre requesting promulgate an ordinance allowing Jallikattu.

7)The centre,  led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,  cleared an ordinance on Thursday which legalised Jallikattu was cleared by the centre. PM Modi, after clearing the ordinance, said that all efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people.

8) The state government, after receiving Centre’s assurance on its support for efforts to conduct the sport,  followed constitutional route and issued an ordinance amending the relevant provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The AIADMK regime called a special assembly on January 23 to replace ordinance with a bill.

9) Scenes on January 23: Weeks long protests demanding leagalisation of bull-taming sports turned violent. The agitators went on a rampage, setting vehicles on fire at a few places, including in front of Ice House Police Station near the beach.

10) Bill Passed: Jallikattu Bill passed by Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously. Bull-taming in the state of Tamil Nadu has been legalised. Supreme Court ban overturned and the ban removed on 23rd January 2017.