Taming the bull: Savagery in the name of entertainment
Jellikkettu is derived from two words, 'salli', meaning coins, kettu meaning, a bunch or heap, together a bunch of coins. The latest report is from a remote village called Ayyanpatti, situated some 400 kilometers south of Chennai.
A CULTURAL entertainment of extreme savagery called ‘Jellikkettu’ is claiming scores of lives is South India. The latest report is from a remote village called Ayyanpatti, situated some 400 kilometers South of Chennai, one of the metros of India. In 2004, the Tamil Nadu High Court had ruled Jellikkettu as illegal, but the decision was deffered later, and then on Jellikettu has become even more popular. In this light, the Indian Animal Welfare Board moved the Apex Court of India in 2008, and the present status of Jellikkettu is that it is illegal, but the court allows bull racing as an entertainment during cultural festivals. With the aid of this provision, Jellikkettu as such is being observed today. The modus operandi of this event is that an enraged and furious bull is let loose into the open ground which is surrounded by eager spectators as cheer leaders, and the bull rushes forward with it horns poised to gorge into everything on its way; and whoever is able to control or pacify the bull either by holding on to its horns or mount it, is declared the winner. Since it is an event that measures the might of man over animal, most of the time, the event leaves a few people dead and several others injured. Its history has it that the name Jellikkettu is derived from two words, ‘salli’, meaning coins, kettu meaning, a bunch or heap, together a bunch of coins. When the event is held, a bunch of coins is tied up on the horns of the bull and this money is meant for the trainer of the bull.
Why do people go for such a dangerous and crude game, all the court rulings against it notwithstanding? Is this fast emerging economy marching forward to new heights or taking a U turn towards the old view the West had of India that it is a land of elephants, sadhus, superstitions and snake charmers? However, it is interesting to juxtapose the Indian Stock bulls - that are known for making headlines either on extreme market performance or on scandalous market mismanagement- and these tamed real bulls that are making headlines in their march towards proving who is mightier than who? Is Indian subcontinent home to extreme development and growth indices, or it is a land of extremes: say, supersonic developments and snail-paced ethnic hangovers? Or, is it just what the rest of the world calls it -a land of ignorance, superstitions, evils and gods in millions? Pan Indians need to take stock in the light of what is being reported of Jellikkettu.
Why do people go for such a dangerous and crude game, all the court rulings against it notwithstanding? Is this fast emerging economy marching forward to new heights or taking a U turn towards the old view the West had of India that it is a land of elephants, sadhus, superstitions and snake charmers? However, it is interesting to juxtapose the Indian Stock bulls - that are known for making headlines either on extreme market performance or on scandalous market mismanagement- and these tamed real bulls that are making headlines in their march towards proving who is mightier than who? Is Indian subcontinent home to extreme development and growth indices, or it is a land of extremes: say, supersonic developments and snail-paced ethnic hangovers? Or, is it just what the rest of the world calls it -a land of ignorance, superstitions, evils and gods in millions? Pan Indians need to take stock in the light of what is being reported of Jellikkettu.
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