R ARIVANANTHAM
MADURAI, JAN 17
The much sought after Alanganallur Jallikkattu began on Friday at around 7.45 a.m. with much fanfare. Thousands of people, including tourists, thronged from within and overseas to witness the fiery bulls and the bull-taming youngsters.
Over 700 bulls and 921 bull tamers took part in the event. Two persons, including an owner of a bull and a spectator, died.
Sridhar (27) was gored to death when he was attempting to lead a bull through the Vaadivasal, the narrow entry point of the arena and the holding area.
He had sustained deep puncture wounds above the stomach and below the chest, said Government Rajaji Hospital Resident Medical Officer, A. Srilatha.
A spectator M. Chellapandi (35) was brought dead to the GRH after fainting while watching the event, the doctor said.
Revenue Minister R. B. Udayakumar, MLAs from Madurai District, Collector T. G. Vinay and Retired Principal District Judge C. Manickam who has been appointed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court as Chairman of the organising committee for jallikattu in Alanganallur, Palamedu, and Avaniyapuram, inaugurated the event.
After an initial inspection of the arena by officials from the District Administration and the Police department, various stakeholders, including the players, took an oath to play the sport ethically.
Many bulls could not easily get out of the Vadivasal as it was difficult to remove the noose tied around their neck and nose.
The best bull and the tamer, sources said, will be given one car each as a gift. These cars will be given on behalf of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam
Vijayabaskar and TTV Dinakaran’s bull were unstoppable
Four bulls of Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and bull owned by AMMK founder, TTV Dhinakaran were not caught by the tamers.
Jallikattu events were also held in Karur, Dindugal, and Manapparai in which a total of more than 1,200 bulls and 1,300 tamers took part.
Bull tamers and owners of the bulls were given cash, gold coins, cycles, grinders, clothes, mobiles, and vessels. Best players (tamers) were allowed to take part in the succeeding rounds.
