Owners hope bull race will get the nod

It is an integral part of Pongal for many

Bulls graze on the field prior to the race.- Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy

With hardly a week left for Pongal, bull owners are anxiously hoping that ‘eruthu vidum vizha’ (bull race) will be permitted in the district. For many, the traditional event is an integral part of Pongal celebrations, something that close to 200 villages look ahead to.

Like ‘jallikattu’ in parts of southern Tamil Nadu, bull race is popular across Vellore district. A total of 1,500 bulls are being reared exclusively for the race in several villages.

R. Soundarajan, president, Vellore District Eruthu Vidum Paadhukaapu Sangam, said that earlier nearly 225 villages conducted the bull race. “Until a few years ago, the race was held in 196 villages in Vellore. For the last two years, only 12 villages conducted the race as only they could afford to pay the deposit fee of Rs. two lakh,” he said. The Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act 2009 imposed the fee for organisers.

In “eruthu vidum vizha”, a race is conducted for bulls for 100 metres. At least 200 to 250 bulls are gathered in a village for the event. It is held in villages such as Kalnarasampatti, Kaattur, Mookanur, Jangalapuram, Vellakuttai, Mutukur, Nimmiyampattu, Konampatti, Kothur and Melmayil.

“In fact, last year marked the 112th year of the sport conducted at Kalnarasampatti in Pudupettai near Tirupattur. Mostly, it is held on the third day of Pongal, while some villages organise it on the eighth day,” he said.

A. Gnanasekar, who owns three bulls, said bull owners have been discussing their plan of action to get the government’s permission to conduct the race. “Eruthu Vidum Vizha is a festival of poor farmers. We are hoping that the government gives us a positive answer,” he said.

The owners have sought permission from the police to hold a fast next week. “People are eagerly waiting for the bull race,” said L.B. Babu, a resident of Latheri, who rears 10 bulls.

The bull owners said the notion that bulls are tortured is completely wrong. “We rear these bulls only for the race. We provide special food for the animals including ragi, wheat, dal, herbs, carrot, goat’s milk and eggs for its strength. Earlier, we used to take the bulls for swimming in ponds to train for the race. But now, there is no water in ponds,” Mr. Soundarajan added.

These bulls are not engaged in ploughing, he said, adding, “Where is the question of ill-treating the animals? We are ready to follow all arrangements prescribed by the government for the race. The State government should come up with a law allowing the event.”