If Jallikattu is a traditional sport that exhibit man’s skill and braveness and also involves physical injuries to the participants, the modern ‘hen-catching’ sport for women is fun-filled and harmless to the participants.
Conducted for the fifth consecutive year in Nandavanam Street in Tiruchengode on Friday, women participated enthusiastically amid much cheer from the audience.
The competition is that a circle is drawn and one end of the rope is tied to the participant’s leg while the other end of the rope is tied to a hen.
Also, the participant’s eye is covered with a black cloth and she has to catch the hen before it moves out of the circle. A rule is that the participant should not drag the rope to catch the hen.
“The hen is not subjected to cruelty and the residents enjoy the game,” said a participant.
Residents said that the event received good response not only from the local people but relatives from other places who visited the family members on the day to have a glimpse of the sport.
Bharathi from Chennai, who eagerly came to see Jallikattu, was upset after it was banned in the State.
But, heard about the sport and came here. “It is fun-filled sport,” he added.
Organiser Devendran said that the sport received good response from the residents as women and children participated in large numbers this year. “The sport not only involves physical activity, but also strategy to catch the hen,” he added.
Many people called it a ‘modern Jallikattu’ and wanted it to be publicized so that the sport spread across the State.
