MADURAI, Jan 19 — A construction worker by trade, Saravanan B waited all year to celebrate his true passion — daring bare-hands bullfighting that has never gone out of fashion...
Daring bare-hands bullfighting has never gone out of fashion in India’s south. — AFP pic Unlock 4%* + 10%* p.a. promo rate for 3 months and enjoy FREE RM10 & when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with min.
cash of RM100 today! T&Cs apply.MADURAI, Jan 19 — A construction worker by trade, Saravanan B waited all year to celebrate his true passion — daring bare-hands bullfighting that has never gone out of fashion in India’s south. Known as jallikattu, the centuries-old tradition is kept alive at annual harvest festivals in India’s Tamil Nadu state, despite regular injuries and even deaths as a result of the often dangerous sport.“I grew up watching it” and developed “an interest in becoming a jallikattu fighter from a very young age”, he said. That fascination has never faded, and at age 18 he joined the ranks of the muscular men he grew up idolising, tackling raging bulls head-on. At the Pongal harvest festival held last week in his village near Tamil Nadu’s Madurai city, Saravanan said he was fighting bulls “purely for my enjoyment”—and not for the prize money.The event has remained popular even after dozens of people have been killed and hundreds injured over the years, and despite persistent allegations of animal cruelty and repeated legal challenges. Critics claim organisers feed bulls alcohol, throw chilli powder into their eyes to provoke panic, or sharpen their horns with glass.Organisers strongly deny these accusations, saying strict rules govern the events and insisting jallikattu is an essential part of Tamil culture.“People who don’t understand jallikattu may feel it is hurting the bull” but “I always see the bull as my friend. I never hurt the bull,” he said.“I got several injuries during bullfighting,” he said. “I have many marks on my body.” Saravanan follows a strict exercise routine and avoids smoking or drinking to stay fit, training with bulls at least twice a week.“This is one of the main reasons for our marriage.”“But for a bullfighter, winning... is a matter of pride,” said Saravanan. — AFP
Saravanan B Jallikattu Tamil Nadu Pongal Harvest Festival Animal Cruelty Allegations
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