M Pudhur makes grandiose entry into jallikattu ‘records’

Nearly, 560 bulls crossed the vadi vasal in 8 hours, again a record by all reckoning. The youth-led protests for jallikattu which ended with the state passing a Government Order permitting the conduct of the event had created widespread awareness about the rural sport. Jallikattu events were being held across the state with an added vigour in various parts apart from the world-famous villages of Alanganallur and Palamedu.

On Sunday, one such jallikattu event that even surpassed the grandiose of Alanganallur and Palamedu, was conducted at M Pudhur village. It was organised by Senthil Thondaman, Uva Province Minister, Sri Lanka, in an impressive manner. A grand arena to accommodate more than 5,000 people was set up for the event and it resembled the seating arrangement of a cricket ground. High fences were there to prevent the bulls from entering the area of spectators. 

As soon as the event commenced, bulls raged past the vadi vasal and bull fighters plunged onto them for taming. More than 1,500 bull tamers participated in the event. The three teams of Chera, Chola and Pandiyas fought with the bulls for supremacy at the event. 

There were prizes galore for the winners in the event. The cost of valuables and household utilities awarded ran into several crores of rupees. Dina Thanthi management sponsored 10-sovereign gold as a prize in this jallikattu. Mobile phones, mixers, grinders, bureaus and gold coins were up for grabs. 

Bumper prizes included two cars, one for the best bull and another for the best bull tamer. The best bull tamer also got a cup named ‘Marina Cup’ in remembrance of the jallikattu protests held on the Marina in Chennai. 

Apart from the bumper prizes, a mega prize was also announced for five best bull tamers and five owners of best bulls. They will be taken on a tour of Singapore by the organisers of the event. 

However, despite best security measures in place, a young aeronautical engineer died in a bull attack. The deceased was identified as Thirunavukarasu (28) of Melamangalam village near Karaikudi. He was standing at the collection point of the bulls, when one of the animals tore into him. He was grievously injured and later died. 

One more death was recorded in the event, as a spectator Baskar of Karaikudi suffered a sunstroke while witnessing the jallikattu in the hot sun. He was rushed to the Karaikudi GH, but was declared brought dead.