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The definition of a cock and bull story as per the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries is “a story that is unlikely to be true but is used as an explanation or excuse”. Urban legend around the origin of this idiom is fascinating. Nestled in Buckinghamshire in south east England lies Stony Stratford, a market town. Weary travellers used to frequent the inns here which provided resting points for humans and their horses. The Cock and The Bull were two such competing inns, where the largely inebriated guests would regale the gathering with fantastically embellished tales. These exaggerated narrations which emanated out of these inns were allegedly referred to in general as the cock and bull stories.
This is not a cock and bull piece but it does feature cocks and bulls in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu whose significance reaches a crescendo around Makar Sankranthi and Pongal.
Pongal is that time of the year when bulls in Tamil Nadu enjoy a level of attention otherwise reserved for celebrities. Thanks to debates on prime-time television, social media spats and court rulings there is widespread awareness about the sport of Jallikattu where a bull is released and enthusiastic youngsters attempt to get a grip with both arms on the large hump on the bull’s back and hold on for as long as possible attempting to bring the bull to a stop or cross a finishing line. The term Jallikattu is an evolution of the term Salli kattu where Salli means coins and kattu means package. Traditionally this package of coins, which was the prize, used to be tied to the horns of the bull. Given the large prize money on offer, understandably, the adornment on the horn is now symbolic. Drawing from best practices from other sports, the Madurai district administration has this year implemented LED scoreboards to ensure transparency at these events. The scoreboards will display details of the performing bull, owner’s name, minutes played, name of bull tamer and number of bulls he caught. Ranging from its utility in selection of a husband to its functionality as a breeding factory, much dung is available in public domain regarding these bovines. What requires a little more of our attention is the avian.
Moving on to the cock. What began with agrarian communities turning idle winter afternoons into a competitive spectacle through altercations between humble poultry, has now burgeoned into a testosterone fuelled game of thrones between gladiatorial roosters with bets rivalling those placed by retail investors in stock markets. Across Krishna and Godavari regions cock fighting is as integral to the Sankranthi festival as bhogi, rangoli or ariselu. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, cockfighting is banned. Under the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act 1974 organising cockfighting is prohibited and police are empowered to arrest without a warrant individuals involved in public gaming. However, come Sankranthi, as surely as the sun shines, the crops harvested, the kites flown – enter kodi pandulu. It’s that time of the year when tradition trumps law, logic and animal welfare.
The fights are brutal. Two roosters are released into an arena, their legs strapped with razor sharp blades or knives, because apparently claws weren’t dramatic enough. What follows is a short intense burst of chaos, feathers, blood, commentary, screams, whistles and cheers. The bird that survives limps away victorious and the vanquished one makes a quick exit from this world.
The selection process is a science in itself and involves examination of the pedigree as well as physical and behavioural traits. While performance of the bird’s ancestors is one of the factors, equal attention is paid to their physical characteristics like strong and well-developed thighs and shanks (legs) for muscular kicks, a good chest for lung capacity, balanced wings, strong bone structure, eye and face structure, beak and neck length and spur development. Behavioural traits like extreme aggression, propensity to seek out the opponent and deliver powerful strikes, the ability to withstand injuries and continue fighting are integral qualities that lead to final selection. The birds follow strict fitness regimens including special diets, controlled exercise and practice bouts making them fitter and better trained than most of the humans who bet on them. Other than cash prizes and side bets of a value that would be enough to fund local startups, the biggest reward is bragging rights. Winner owners enjoy instant celebrity status and losers console themselves by blaming fate, the referee or a rival group. The clientele spans farmers, real estate developers, businessmen, celebrities, politicians “just passing by” and urban visitors thirsting for a rural experience, preferably with reserved seating and zero accountability.
Artisanal Cruelty scream the activists. Lovingly Curated counter the enthusiasts. Unmindful of these comments the bovine and avian festival games go on, year after year.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.