JALLIKATTU

     JALLIKATTU (Taming the Bull) is a traditional rural sport. It is considered a game for warriors who originated with Tamil culture. The game was nurtured and patronised during erstwhile dynastic rules when young winners were richly rewarded and even marriages were fixed.

      Jallikattu is the South Indian version of the taming/running of the bull. It is held in the villages of Tamilnadu on the eve of Pongal (Harvest) festival. This sport is also known as Manju Virattu, meaning chasing the bull.

      Almost five hundred bulls are participant in this event; an agitated bull is set to run in an open space. Several unarmed people, try to tame it and reach the boundary by controlling its horns with bare hands where Currency & Silver Coins is generally tied to the horns of the bull. Also, the winner gets prizes like gold, goat, television, bicycle etc. In the past, lands, jewellery and positions were given as prizes to the winner and he is considered as a hero, who is the most eligible guy to wed. In most occasions, the bulls are intoxicated with alcohol. Sometimes, more than one bull can also be seen. The village men consider this macho game as a display of their masculine strength. Betting is main one of the game.

     The exact history of the origin of Jallikattu is unknown, but is in vogue for several centuries. According to legend, in olden days the game was used by women to choose their husbands. Successful matadors were chosen as grooms.

     Jallikattu leads to several tragedies, including loss of lives. In 2005, at least 25 people were reported dead and several hundreds injured in various villages. Unlike bullfighting, the matador does not kill the bull. However, there are cases of accidental bull deaths. Several animal activists object to this ferocious and blood-thirsty game, the government planning to ban this traditional rural sport.

JALLIKATTU

  • In the entrance gate, the bull run and try to escape from the player. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The players try to control the bull. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The bull try to escape from the crowd. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The agitated bull hitting the player in the field. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos
  • The bull owner put the Oil on the bull for player losing the grip during the game. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The agitated bull at infront of the crowd. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The winner collecting his prize from the village committee. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The bull run from the "vadi vasal" (Entrance gate ). India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The bull run from the "vadi vasal" (Entrance gate ). India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The young player try to getting the prize from the bull horns. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The owner try to catch his bull, after the bull crossed the boundary limit. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The escaping bull and players in the field. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The Injured player rush to hospital. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The uncontrolled winning bull crossing the boundary. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • The player taming the bull and crossing the boundary. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos
  • The decorated colourful bull and their owner at the registration gate. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos.
  • Bull waiting at the entrance gate. India, 2006. Copyright Senthil Kumaran / Trikaya Photos
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