MADURAI: Deprived of its prime attraction, a pall of gloom descended on Alanganallur. So popular is the jallikattu held in this town that it has entered into folk ballads besides being showcased for long as a quintessential feature of Tamil culture to tourists from abroad. This Saturday, Pongal passed out without jallikattu and the town as well as its neighbourhood went into mourning.
Kolams at many a household turned out to be an expression of indignation at administrative lethargy in getting the ban lifted. Rangoli came in handy for the womenfolk to register their protest by drawing ‘Weeping bulls’ and slogans like ‘Today a Black Day’.
Elderly women took to oppari, sung in groups during deaths. Like the chorus in Greek tragedies, they expressed apprehension over misfortune befalling the community due to non-conduct of jallikattu. The jallikattu arena (Vadivasal) was covered with barricades to avert any attempt to bring in bulls. Further, 300 police personnel were deployed for security. Even the ritual procession of the Muniyandisami temple bull skipped the jallikattu arena.
“Well reared bulls of the native breeds are trained for the event at a huge cost. And, it is the womenfolk who feed and nurture them. About 1,000 bulls participate in the annual sport in Alanganallur, Paalamedu and Avaniyapuram. All their efforts have gone in vain. Now, keeping them will be a burden,” said an emotional Murthy (30), a local bull tamer.
Slamming the administration in her oppari, Ayyathammal (70) said “Both the Centre and the State have betrayed us. The ban could have been revoked had there not been any delay in following up the Supreme Court order.” A group of women also wept at the Vadivasal.
“This has invited the wrath of Muniyandisami. The administration
must ensure jallikattu is held within the Tamil month of Thai. Otherwise the village would suffer from diseases like Cholera,” said M Amaravathi.