09/12/2019
Jallikattu is a word of mouth and an emotion of heart to the people of Tamil Nadu. The tradition of Tamil people was restored after a monumental protest at the Marina beach, Chennai in 2017. The term ‘Jallikattu’, comes from Tamil terms ‘salli kaasu‘ (coins) and ‘kattu‘ (a package), referring to the tying of prize money to the horns of a bull. Later, in the colonial period, the name was changed to ‘Jallikattu.’The very obvious fact observed in Jallikattu is the sport but there are many other significant aspects to it. The significance of Jallikattu is not only about the sport aspect but also about the conservation and protection of a species Kangayam is a native breed used in Jallikattu which is cross breed with kankrej ,ongole and gir to preserve the native breed and circumvent its extinction.The nutritional value of the milk produced by native breeds is twice as that of the foreign breeds. There are still evidences of preserved seals from Mohenjo-Daro specifying its existence back then in Indus Valley civilization in Delhi museum. Jalikkattu's commendation to the economy and livelihood which makes this tradition momentous.
