Taming the Law

Though the State Has Passed a Bill to Allow Jallikattu, There Could Be More Legal Hurdles.
 

- Lakshmi Subramanian

This is no cock and bull story. It dates back to the Indus Valley civilisation. Picture this: a herd of cattle is grazing lazily, followed by herders, holding long sticks having a piece of white cloth at the end. Suddenly, a wild bull comes charging. A young herder chases the bull, hops on to its hump, holding it by its horns, and finally tames it. This becomes a regular affair.

Over a period of time, this taming of the bull became a sport—‘Eru Thazhuvuthal’ or embracing the bull—demonstrating heroism and valour. During the Nayak dynasty rule in the 16th-17th century, it came to be known as Jallikattu, as coins, called jalli or salli in Tamil, wrapped in a piece of cloth were tied (kattu) to the horns of the bulls. The bull tamer who untied the knot would get the coins as prize. Soon, the cloth tied to the horns was replaced with bright ribbons and the tamers were given trophies instead of coins.

As the sport became a tradition and acquired a cultural identity, villagers started rearing bulls exclusively for the sport and equated them with gods. That is why, during the Pongal festival, when the sport is usually held, the koyil kaalai (temple bull) is the first bull to come through the vaadi vasal (the entrance). It would have a free run on the ground as a mark of respect to the village and its deity.