Ponni was happy. In a few days they would be celebrating Pongal. Her brothers, who lived in the city, were there to celebrate the harvest festival. This time too, they had had a bountiful harvest. Cows and bulls were adorned and decorated with bells.
But something was bothering Ponni. One incident marred the joy of celebration and she prayed that it should not happen again this time.
Ponni’s parents had gone to Chennai to buy clothes for Pongal. That night, Ponni was awakened from her sleep. When she looked out she saw shadowy figures entering the compound.
“Thieves!” she thought. “Had they come to steal her cows?” Their village had always been a soft target for thieves. Ponni’s brothers however were alert and in no time the thieves were overpowered. News spread like wild fire and Ponni’s brothers became heroes.
Soon it was Pongal. All the men and boys were gearing up for jallikattu to exhibit their bravery. Ponni always dreaded this moment and as she was thinking about this, she could see her neighbour Ramu limping to feed his cows. Ramu had once participated in this game of taming the bull some years ago but had fallen prey to the bull’s anger and it had gored his leg. He still limped and remembering this sent a chill down Ponni’s spine.
Initiating a change
Ponni was looking at the medals her brothers had been awarded and she felt proud. Her brothers, Rajesh and Muthu always looked forward to participating in the jallikattu.
“You made the entire village proud by your bravery. Don’t you think it is below your dignity to compete with a beast?” asked Ponni. “Competition should be amongst equals. And in the last few years many people including Ramu have fallen prey to the bull’s fury. Ramu walks with a limp just because he wanted to show off. And more than that, is this the way we thank the bull for serving us through the year by mindlessly provoking it and agonising it? So much for our repaying it with gratitude.”
Every year the bull was provoked and when it was charged, the crowd cheered and shouted antagonising it further. In the process, many people got seriously injured but still this adventure continues in the name of sport.
“Does this mindless game serve any purpose at all?” continued Ponni. “One can always show bravery in day-to-day issues.”
The brothers agreed with Ponni and decided to create an awareness among the people of the village and also to teach them the art of self defence. They told the people that this would help keep their village safe. Moreover, they also suggested that they have a competition to exhibit their skills.
Their ideas were readily welcomed and the people decided that this would be far more fun than goading a bull!
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