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Current Affairs 2023

Manjuvirattu and Jallikattu - UPSC Current Affairs

Jallikattu and Manjuvirattu are traditional bull gaming sports played in Tamil Nadu, India during Mattu Pongal. Both sports have roots in ancient Tamil culture and are considered important parts of the state's history and heritage. Despite criticism from animal rights activists, Jallikattu continues to be held under strict regulations to ensure safety of both bulls and participants.

Jan 18, 2023

2 min read

Manjuvirattu and Jallikattu are traditional bull gaming sports that are played in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These sports are typically held during Mattu Pongal, which is a day after January 14th. Both Jallikattu and Manjuvirattu have roots in ancient Tamil culture and are considered to be an important part of the state's history and heritage.

Jallikattu is the more well-known of the two sports and is derived from the Tamil words "jalli" and "kattu", which mean "gold or silver coins" and "tied" respectively. The sport involves contestants trying to tame a bull for a prize, with the bull that wins being used to service numerous cows and preserving the native breed. In addition to being a sport, Jallikattu is also considered a religious and cultural event that is celebrated by people of all castes and creeds in Tamil Nadu.

Manjuvirattu, on the other hand, is a type of Jallikattu that is primarily played in the districts of Madurai, Pudukkottai, Theni, Thanjavur, and Salem. The sport involves an array of bulls being released one after another from an enclosure, with participants trying to cling to the hump of the bull as it runs. The goal is to hold onto the bull for a specific distance and time in order to win a prize.

Both Jallikattu and Manjuvirattu are important tools for conserving indigenous breeds of livestock in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, they are also an important part of the state's culture and heritage, with Jallikattu believed to be around 2500 years old and Manjuvirattu being a more recent development.

It is to be noted that, Jallikattu and Manjuvirattu faced criticism from animal rights activists and animal welfare organizations, as it is seen as a cruel and inhumane sport. Despite the criticism from animal rights activists and animal welfare organizations, Jallikattu and Manjuvirattu continue to be an important part of Tamil Nadu's culture and heritage. The Tamil Nadu government has been allowing Jallikattu to be held under strict regulations and guidelines to ensure the safety of both the bulls and the participants. While the future of these sports may be uncertain, they remain a significant part of the state's history and tradition, and efforts are being made to preserve and promote them in a way that is safe and ethical. Image: Wikimedia Commons