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Jallikattu (Tamil: சல்லிகட்டு, callikaṭṭtu) also known Eruthazhuvuthal (Tamil: ஏறுதழுவல், ērutazhuval) or Manju viraṭṭu (Tamil: மஞ்சு விரட்டு), is an ancient bull-baiting or bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day. The term Jallikattu comes from the term calli kācu (coins) and kattu (meaning a package) tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money. This is one of the oldest living ancient sport seen in the modern era. It is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu as a part of the village festival. A painting of bull chasing on a massive rock surface at Karikkiyur in the Nilgiris. These pictures, according to specialists in rock art, are dateable to 2,000 B.C. to 1,500 B.C. Bulls are bred specifically for the event and a specific breed of cattle bred for this purpose is known as "Jellicut".

"Jallikattu" - is a cattle/ bulltaming blood sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebration. This is one of the oldest living ancient blood sport seen in the modern era. 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 was a popular blood sport during the Tamil classical period. It was common among the ancient tribes who lived in the ‘Mullai’ geographical division of the ancient Tamil country. The blood sport results in major injuries and deaths with over human 200 deaths over the past two decades. Animal activists and PETA India has protested against the blood sport over the years for animal cruelty.

Jallikattu enthusiasts and native cattle breeders claims that PETA India is against indigenous native cattle breeds and they are responsible for reduction of cow to bull ratio, which has seen a reduction after 2004. They claim Jallikattu will preserve the native cattle breeds from extinction, and already one of the beautiful cattle breed Alambadi is now officially extinct. Both PETA India and Jallikattu enthusiasts have defensible positions.

In May 2014, the Supreme Court of India banned the blood sport citing animal welfare issues. On 12 January, 2016 the Supreme Court stayed the government notification allowing the festival after hearing few petitions.

Etymology

Jallikattu originated from the Tamil words Jalli and Kattu, referring to silver or gold coins tied to the bulls’ horns.

History

Jallikattu, which is bull-baiting or bull cuddling/holding was a popular blood sport amongst warriors during the Tamil classical period. Bullfighting was common among the ancient tribes 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 entertainment. A seal from the Indus Valley Civilization depicting the blood sport 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.

Variants

There are many variants of the blood sport practiced in Tamil Nadu. These include vaṭi viraṭṭu where a bull being released from an enclosure need to be held on to for a predetermined distance or time to win the prize, vēli viraṭṭu where a bull is released in an open ground with players trying to tame the animal and vaṭam manjuviraṭṭu where a bull is tied to a 50-foot-long rope (15 m) and a team of players attempt to subdue the bull within a specific time.

Jallikattu Cattle Breeds

There are 7 types of cattle breeds used for Jallikattu, which are native to their region. They are

1. Kangeyam
2. Puliyakulam
3. Tiruchengodu
4. Bargur or Semmarai
5. Palamalai
6. Umbalachery
7. Alambadi

Palamalai and Alambadi cattle breeds are on the verge on extinction.

Training and preparation

The calves that are reared to become bulls are fed a nutritious diet so that they develop into strong and sturdy beasts. The calves, once they reach adolescence are taken to small events to familiarize them with the atmosphere and specific training is given based on the variant of the blood sport it is meant for. These bulls naturally possess aggression. Before the bulls are released, the bulls are subjected to medical tests including tests for alcohol and substance that will aggravate the bulls. These tests are conducted by a team of government vets under the supervision of the district collector. Even the athletes who participates in the Jallikattu event will undergo medical tests and will be tested for alcohol. These athletes will observe a 10 day fasting period before the event which includes eating vegan food, no smoking, no alcohol consumption and even no sex. For the people who raise these bulls, their bulls are sacred and bulls are worshipped equivalent to god. Jallikattu also helps in preventing these bulls breeds from extinction. The people of Tamilnadu don't want their native bulls breeds go extinct like their native breeds of dogs.

Injuries and death

Major injuries and deaths may occur from the blood sport. From 2010 to 2014, there were approximately 1,100 injuries and 17 deaths as a result of Jallikattu events. Over 200 people have died from the blood sport over the past two decades.

Protests and ban

Animal activists and PETA India has protested against the blood sportover the years. The Animal Welfare Board of India filed a case in the Supreme Court of India for an outright ban on Jallikattu because of the cruelty to animals and the threat to public safety involved. On 27 November 2010, the Supreme Court permitted the Government of Tamil Nadu to allow Jallikattu for five months in a year and directed the District Collectors to make sure that the animals that participate in Jallikattu are registered to the Animal Welfare Board and in return the Board would send its representative to monitor over the event. The Government of Tamil Nadu ordered that ₹2 lakh (US$2,300) be deposited by the organizers in case of an accident or injury during the event and enacted a rule to allow a team of veterinarians would be present at the venue for certifying the bulls for participation in the event and to provide treatment for bulls that get injured.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a notification in 2011 that banned the use of bulls as performing animals, thereby banning the blood sport But the blood sport was continued to be held under Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act No 27 of 2009. On 7 May 2014, the Supreme Court of India struck down the state law and banned the blood sport. The Supreme Court noted that any flouting of the ban should result in penalties for cruelty to animals under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The court also asked the Government of India to amend the law on preventing cruelty to animals to bring bulls within its ambit. On 8 January 2016, the Ministry of Environment and Forests permitted the continuation of the blood sport under certain conditions effectively ending the ban. After hearing the petitions which were led by the Animal Welfare Board of India challenging central government's notification, the Supreme Court of India on 12 January, 2016 ordered a stay and issued notices to the central government and Tamil Nadu Government.

In popular culture

Jalikattu is often shown in Tamil cinema where the hero tames the bull to prove his gallantry. Some of the popular movies include:

• Murattu Kaalai
• Virumaandi
• Baahubali
• Mirugam

See also

• Bull-leaping
• Running of the bulls

References

1. "Bull chasing, an ancient Tamil tradition". The Hindu. 2008-01-15. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
2. "Jellicut cattle breed" (PDF). TANUVAS. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
3. ^ François Gautier. A Western Journalist on India: The Ferengi's Columns.
4. ^ Grushkin, Daniel (22 March 2007). "Fearless Boys with Bulls in Avaniapuram". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2008. The ritual dates back as far as 2,000 years...
5. ^ "Buzzing with bull talk". The Hindu. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
6. ^ "Who said bullfighting is cruel?". Firstpost. 12 January 2012.
7. ^ "PETA founder held in India over bullfight protest". Reuters. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
8. "Need to conserve jallikattu breed stressed". www.fiapo.org. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
9. "Jallikattu, rekla race help preserve native bull stock, say breeders - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
10. "Live Chennai: Jallikattu helps native breeds thrive, say breeders,Jallikattu,breeds". livechennai.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
11. J.Venkatesan (8 May 2014). "Supreme Court bans Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
12. "Jallikattu will not be held in Tamil Nadu this year, says Supreme Court". CNN-IBN. 12 January 2016.
13. ^ "Supreme Court stays bull taming game Jallikattu; Jaya asks PM for an ordinance [Read Order]". One Law Street. 12 January 2016.
14. T. Subramaniam (13 January 2008). "Bull-baiting of yore". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
15. "Bull chasing, an ancient Tamil tradition". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
16. "An ancient [[blood sport]]". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 January 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help)
17. "Jalikattu bull taming". Times of India. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
18. Cite error: The named reference Cruel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
19. ^ "1 killed in Jalikattu". sify.com. 16 January 2011.
20. ^ "Animal Welfare Board of India vs. Nagaraja" (PDF). 7 May 2014.
21. ^ "SC bans Jalikattu". PETA. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
22. "SC bans Jallikattu bull fights in-Tamil-Nadu". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 May 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
23. "Centre lifts ban". The Indian Express. 8 January 2016.
24. "Ministry of Environment and Forest allows use of bulls in Jallikattu in Tamilnadu". One Law Street. 7 January 2016.
25. "SC to hear AWBI's petition challenging jallikattu order". The Hindu. 11 January 2016.
26. "No Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu this year". The Hindu. 12 January 2016.
27. "Jallikattu on hold: SC stays govt notification to allow bull taming". Hindustan Times. 12 January 2016.
28. ^ "Rajni, Kamal did it". behindwoods.com. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
29. "Mirugam movie". behindwoods.com. Retrieved 8 January 2016.

External links

• Animal welfare
• Blood sports
• Bullfighting
• Sport in Tamil Nadu
• Tamil sports and games
• Traditional sports of India