Jallikattu is a South Indian celebration involving bull taming, somewhat similar to the Spanish running of the bulls. It is held in the villages of Tamil Nadu on the eve of Mattu Pongal, one of the four days of Pongal festival (usually January 15 on the Western calendar). The one held in Alanganallur, near Madurai, is the most popular. This sport is also known as "Manju Virattu", meaning "chasing the bull". A map of South India, its rivers, regions and water bodies. ... Bull or bull has various meanings: Look up bull in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... An encierro in Pastrana, Spain. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Pongal (பொங்கல் in Tamil), also called Sankranti in Karnataka (ಸ೦ಕ್ರಾ೦ತಿ in Kannada), is an Indian harvest and a thanksgiving festival. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... A calendar is a system for naming periods of time, typically days. ... Madurai (மதுரை in Tamil) is situated on the banks of Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu, a southern Indian state. ...

In Jallikattu, an agitated bull is set to run in an open space. Several people, empty handed, try to tame it by controlling its horns. The winner gets a prize, which is generally tied to the horns of the bull. On most occasions, the bulls are intoxicated with alcohol. Only men take part in this macho game. Sometimes, more than one bull is loose at the same time. The village farmers take this game as a display of their masculine strength. Betting is also common during the game.

History

The exact history of the origin of Jallikattu is unknown, but it has been popular 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.

Etymology

The term Jallikattu comes from the term "Salli" kassu (coins) and "Kattu" (meaning a package) tied to the horns of the bulls as the prize money. Later days during the colonial period this term got changed to Jallikattu which is the term currently used.

Casualties

As might be expected, injuries and even deaths occur in Jallikattu. In 2004, at least 5 people were reported dead and several hundreds injured in various villages. Unlike in bullfighting, the matador does not kill the bull. However, there are cases of accidental bull deaths. Several animal activists object to this dangerous game every year, but so far these objections have been in vain. In fact Jallikattu is loaded against the matadors, unlike in European bullfighting. For instance, the bull's horns are sharpened and the matador cannot use any weapons. Moreover these specific Indian bulls are also taller and stronger than most European bulls. Starting a corrida (un paseíllo) Bull in the arena with banderillas on flanks Bullfighter engaging the bull with a capote Bull ring (Plaza de Toros) in Málaga (Spain) Artistic representation of a bullfight Bullfighting or tauromachy (Spanish toreo, corrida de toros or tauromaquia; Portuguese tourada, corrida de touros... Matador Antonio Barrera in the capote de paseo (dress cape) before a bullfight during the 2003 Aste Nagusia festival in Bilbao, Spain A matador (killer) is the main performer in bullfighting events in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. ... Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiogeographic one. ...

Artistic depictions

The event has fascinated movie makers for decades. Several movies featuring Jallikattu have been made in Tamil. The most popular among them is Murattu Kalai starring Rajinikanth playing the role of a professional and the most successful bull tamer of the village. Virumandi, released in 2004, had Kamal Haasan playing a similar role. Tamil (தமிழ் ) is a classical language and one of the major languages belonging to the Dravidian language family. ... Super Star Rajinikanth This article may have an overdose of fancruft. ... Kamal Haasan This article may have an overdose of fancruft. ...

External links

• Jallikattu photo
• Jallikattu picture gallery