The traditional bull-taming sport of jallikattu marked its grand seasonal opening in Tamil Nadu on Saturday. The event, held at Thachankurichi village in the Gandarvakottai taluk of Pudukkottai district, proceeded without any loss of human life, though it left dozens of participants and spectators injured.
A Grand and Orderly Opening
Pudukkottai district, which traditionally hosts the state's first jallikattu and boasts the highest number of arenas, saw the event inaugurated with formal ceremonies. The proceedings were flagged off by Minister for Natural Resources S Regupathi and Minister for Backward Classes Welfare Siva V Meyyanathan, with District Collector M Aruna presiding over the event.
Before the action began, Collector Aruna administered the mandatory jallikattu pledge to all participants, emphasizing safety and tradition. The competition itself ran from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, structured meticulously into five rounds.
Scale and Security of the Event
The scale of the event was impressive. Sources reported that approximately 500 bulls from various regions of Tamil Nadu entered the arena. They were met by 361 permitted bull tamers, all vying for top honors. The spectacle drew a crowd of more than 5,000 spectators.
Ensuring a smooth and secure event was a significant undertaking. Authorities deployed a robust force of over 300 police personnel. They were supported by officials from multiple departments, including health, animal husbandry, revenue, rural development, and fire and rescue services, who were all stationed on duty.
Winners, Injuries, and a Brief Disruption
While the event was largely successful, it was not without its physical toll. A total of 78 people sustained injuries. The breakdown included 14 bull tamers, 30 bull owners, and 34 spectators. Of these, 19 individuals required further treatment and were admitted to the Thanjavur Government Medical College Hospital. The remainder received medical attention at the on-site camps.
Amidst the adrenaline and action, champions emerged. Abi Siddhar, a bull tamer from Sivaganga district, was declared the first prize winner for taming 14 bulls in the second round. His reward was a Pulsar motorcycle. The second prize, a Splendor motorcycle, went to Anand from Thanjavur district, who tamed the highest number of bulls in the first round.
The day did witness a moment of tension when an argument erupted over the entry order between online-registered tamers and others. Police intervention, involving mild force to disperse the crowd, was necessary. Order was quickly restored, and participants were allowed to enter strictly according to their token numbers.
Setting the Trend for the Season
Minister Siva V Meyyanathan expressed satisfaction with the event's conduct. He stated it was a great experience to see the season's first jallikattu, a showcase of Tamil culture and tradition, held successfully without major issues. He added that this should set the right trend for the numerous jallikattu events scheduled across the state in the coming days.
The successful, albeit intense, opening in Pudukkottai has officially set the stage for the vibrant and culturally significant jallikattu season across Tamil Nadu.
