With the Centre holding talks of bringing back 'Jallikattu', villagers are already getting their bulls and tamers ready for the competition.
Chennai:
For many like 32-year-old Maran, a resident of Allanaganallur, taming a bull is the way to prove their valour and masculinity.
"From the time I was a kid I was brought up those telling me that to be brave is to tame a bull. Jallikattu has been part of our lives for thousand years now. I want it back as so that someday my grandchildren will be bull-tamers too," says Maran.
In his short career of 15 years, Maran has won a number of medals in 'Jallikattu' - a competitive local sport aimed at taming bulls as part of the festival of Pongal.
The belief in what's an age-old tradition is shared by many in Tamil Nadu. But last year, the practice was banned by the Supreme Court following objections by animal activists.
With the Centre holding talks of bringing back 'Jallikattu', villagers are already getting their bulls and tamers ready for the competition.
"The notification will come out in two-three days. Let's see how it comes in the final legal shape. Many issues are involved but with certain restrictions we can allow this practice which has been on for over 1,000 years," said Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Mr Javadekar is likely to consult attorney general Mukul Rohatgi before his ministry finalises the guidelines to ensure that it does not violate of the directives that led to the ban on 'Jallikattu' last year. Sources say a formal announcement can be expected any time after January 1.
For people living in Allanaganallur, Palamedu and Aavaniapuram, the three most popular villages known across the globe for this sport, 'Jallikattu' is not just a competition but a display of their indigenous culture.
Throughout the year, the bulls are pampered in preparation for the competition. By feeding them dates, cotton seeds and taking them for a swim every morning the bulls are strong and ready to take on the heat of the contest.
"We walk the bull every day, bathe it, feed it. That's how we train them. See, we don't harm it all because it is not just an animal to us. We bring it up like our own children," says Amaravati, the caretaker of Karuppu, one of the fiercest of bulls known in Madurai.
However animal rights activists say that's not all there is to the story. They allege that the bulls are given alcohol, snuff and physically abused in order to perform. From biting and yanking their tails and chopping off parts of their ears to whipping, the list of atrocities is endless. It is believed that betting is also very prevalent during the time 'Jallikattu' is played.
"It is just money. Right from the construction of barricades to liquor sales, the betting and other illegal activities. There are politicians here who make not just lakhs but crores of rupees. These politicians are asking for it (Jallikattu) to be revived to make money," says Palanikumar a volunteer, of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
"From the time I was a kid I was brought up those telling me that to be brave is to tame a bull. Jallikattu has been part of our lives for thousand years now. I want it back as so that someday my grandchildren will be bull-tamers too," says Maran.
In his short career of 15 years, Maran has won a number of medals in 'Jallikattu' - a competitive local sport aimed at taming bulls as part of the festival of Pongal.
The belief in what's an age-old tradition is shared by many in Tamil Nadu. But last year, the practice was banned by the Supreme Court following objections by animal activists.
With the Centre holding talks of bringing back 'Jallikattu', villagers are already getting their bulls and tamers ready for the competition.
"The notification will come out in two-three days. Let's see how it comes in the final legal shape. Many issues are involved but with certain restrictions we can allow this practice which has been on for over 1,000 years," said Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Mr Javadekar is likely to consult attorney general Mukul Rohatgi before his ministry finalises the guidelines to ensure that it does not violate of the directives that led to the ban on 'Jallikattu' last year. Sources say a formal announcement can be expected any time after January 1.
For people living in Allanaganallur, Palamedu and Aavaniapuram, the three most popular villages known across the globe for this sport, 'Jallikattu' is not just a competition but a display of their indigenous culture.
Throughout the year, the bulls are pampered in preparation for the competition. By feeding them dates, cotton seeds and taking them for a swim every morning the bulls are strong and ready to take on the heat of the contest.
"We walk the bull every day, bathe it, feed it. That's how we train them. See, we don't harm it all because it is not just an animal to us. We bring it up like our own children," says Amaravati, the caretaker of Karuppu, one of the fiercest of bulls known in Madurai.
However animal rights activists say that's not all there is to the story. They allege that the bulls are given alcohol, snuff and physically abused in order to perform. From biting and yanking their tails and chopping off parts of their ears to whipping, the list of atrocities is endless. It is believed that betting is also very prevalent during the time 'Jallikattu' is played.
"It is just money. Right from the construction of barricades to liquor sales, the betting and other illegal activities. There are politicians here who make not just lakhs but crores of rupees. These politicians are asking for it (Jallikattu) to be revived to make money," says Palanikumar a volunteer, of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
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