Farmer honours jallikattu bull with statue

Deepak, from Sokkampatti near Melur, decided to erect a statue in memory of his most precious bull after it died of old age on February 26 last year. The farmer held the bull in high esteem as it had won several awards in various jallikattu events that were conducted across the state. Deepak’s family had decided to unveil the statue on its first anniversary. As planned, the statue was completed well before time and was unveiled on Sunday. 

Speaking to DTNext, Deepak, also a bull tamer, said that he hails from the farming community and attaches a lot of importance to rearing bulls, which form the base for farming. He said that the bull was ferocious once it entered the jallikattu arena and was called Sokkampatti ‘Karikalai’. 

His bull competed in the Vadivasal when it was three years old and had taken part in jallikattu for 19 years. The bull had won more than 500 prizes. Before the government mandated restrictions in 2017, jallikattu events were organised every week and his bull had won in most of the jallikattu event in the state. Most of the prizes are still kept on display in Deepak’s house in remembrance of the bull. 

“The bull was raised as a family member and special food was provided to it. Jallikattu was not conducted during the last two years and sadly my bull wasn’t alive to compete this year after the ban was lifted. If it was alive it would have won several prizes this year too,” Deepak claimed. 

Though Deepak’s family had estimated the cost to be around Rs1.5 lakh, the cost of the statue was Rs 2 lakh and was completed in four months. It was built in a seated position to ensure structural integrity. Deepak said the statue was built using cement and claimed that it would have weakened had it been constructed in a standing position. Deepak currently raises 12 bulls, out of which seven are dedicated for Vadivasal.