Pride of Tamilian Jallikattu

Taming the bull is not just a sport but 2000 year old culture.

Saravanan M Kalyani
Table of contents
 Introduction

Objective of writing this book is to give a perspective on this so called controversial sport Jallikattu
played in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu which recently became a hot topic of debate amongst various
media, politicians and people in India.

This book tries to cover the core and peripheral issues on Jallikattu and the emotions attached with
various segments of tamil people. Before we jump into conclusion, it is my duty to showcase the
background history and the reasons behind this sports existence. Why people of Tamilnadu came out in
huge numbers irrespective of religion, caste and creed across the state supporting this sport and why this
topic demanded national attention.
Chapter 1: Brief on Indian Culture

It is not very surprising in 21st century where majority of people in the world aspire to follow western
culture; they are slowly forgetting their own culture. People have become open minded and have started
embracing cross cultural identities especially influenced from western countries. This can be seen across
various countries where living lifestyle, language and costumes they wear have changed significantly. In
India culture is something very sacred and revered since ancient times. Even after Mogul and British
ruled India for more than five centuries India still did not lose major of its cultural identities.

People in India always resisted change in cultural behavior influenced by external invaders this is the
primary reason why India is respected in international community where they seek uniqueness and
respect for their own culture.

Culture word
Chapter 2: Tamil Culture

Tamil language is said to be one of the ancient languages in Indian history. Unlike any other languages in
India it is an old Dravidian language. Tamil people value their culture more like any other people in other
states of India. People in Tamilnadu follow their religion and culture with utmost faith and belief. Tamil
culture comprises of various aspects like literatures, scriptures, arts, sports, music, dance, costumes,
language, festivals, food, customs and traditions.

Lets get into brief on Tamil culture aspects.

1) Literature Cilapttikaram, Manimekalai, civaka cintamani, valayapathi,

kundalechi(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Five_Great_Epics_of_Tamil_Literature)
2) Scriptures Kamba Ramayana 12th century tamil epic by Kamban, Thiruviladayal puranam,
Thirukural, Thirumurai, thiruvisagam, thirukovai, tevaram, tirumantiram, thiruvarutpa, Nalayira
Divya Prabandham, Tamil bibles, Tamil Qurans.
3) Arts Stone scultpures, martial art like silambam, Kolam during diwali, kopurams of temple
4) Sports- Jallikattu
5) Music traditional carnatic music
6) Dance Bharatanatyam, Parai, karakattam, Villupattu, Kutthu
7) Costumes Vesthis, Pattu sarees
8) Language -Tamil
9) Festivals -Pongal
10) Food Rice sambhar, rasam, poriyal, aplam, pickle, curd served in Banana leaf. Also idli, Dosas,
Aapams, chutney, sambhar for breakfast
11) Customs -
12) Traditions- Women are treated with utter respect at households as they are revered as Goddess
Lakhsmi. Likewise in remote villages of tamilnadu people still use cowdung to plaster houses
inside out and people still drink cow urine as disinfectant for any diseases unknown. Also people
served guest with water or hot drinks in silver ware to protect from germs since it is believed to
fight against germs that guest may carry in from outside. Women of the house are not allowed to
visit temple during menstrual cycles since those days women had to walk long way to visit
temples and it may cause wild animals to smell them and attack them. So for their protection men
did not allow them to visit temples. Also women of the house were not allowed to do the
household chores during menstrual cycles to prevent them from fatigue, cramps and exhaustion.
13) People in old ages did not accept or give things with left hand to anybody since they thought that
left hand is usually used for personal hygiene and giving anything with left hand is considered to
be offensive or insult to them.
14) People after attending funeral usually do not go to their home directly. According to traditional
culture, they visit to a well, river, sea or lake to take bath ,wash their clothes and then they go
home since they believe they carry infection from the funeral place. They dont even drink a glass
of water unless they take shower to protect them and their family from ashes or germs.
15) People hung neem leaves in front of the door to indicate person of the house suffers from chicken
pox. This ensures people are isolated from spreading diseases in neighborhood. Also neem leaves
are a great antibacterial, anti parasitical, antifungal and antiviral
16) Women in tamil culture is always seen wearing pottu in forehead. There is a logical reason behind
this. Since ancient times it is known that the place between the two eyebrows is a major nerve
center and it emanates energy and heat. This place is where ladies wear saandhu pottu or
Kumkum to cool the spot and prevent lose of energy and heat. This also helps in improving
concentration and reduces headaches. Nowadays the purpose of wearing a bindi is totally
defeated by wearing plastic bindis or pottus just to look good and appealing. This midregion spot
of forehead while wearing pottu is automatically pressed to activate adnya chakra and improve
blood supply to the facial nerves emanating a glow of energy to the entire body with
electromagnetic waves. Hence we can feel the aura of positive energy when we are around them.
When people are worried this spot become very intense and generates lots of heat and nervous
energy hence saandhu pottu helps in cooling off like water does to a nuclear reactor. This is the
main reason why in Tamil weddings people are showered with rosewater, apply sandalwood in
forehead to help them cool off with any kind off nervousness or anxiety in relationship.
17)
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Chapter 3: Importance of Tamil Culture for the people
Chapter 4: Jallikattu
Chapter 5: