Jallikattu
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 Mattu Pongal, one of the four days of Pongal festival. The one held in Alanganallur, near Madurai, is the most popular. This sport is also known as Manju Virattu, meaning chasing the bull.
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. In most occasions, the bulls are intoxicated with alcohol. Only men take part in this macho game. Sometimes, more than one bull can also be seen. The village farmers take this game as a display of their masculine strength. Betting is also common during 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 limbs and lives. In 2004, alteast 5 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, every year, but in vain.
The game has fascinated movie makers from the yore to the current. Several movies, featuring jallikattu, have been made in tamil. The most popular among them is Murattu Kalai, a Rajinikanth starrer, with him 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.