Grabbing the bull by the horns

Bullfighting might be a quintessentially Spanish pursuit but Tamil Nadu has Jallikattu, its own version of the sport. Notwithstanding that the combat is arguably less bloody and that the bull is neither killed nor eaten after it is vanquished in the arena, there is no dearth of competition. Several bullfighters – young men in their late teens or early twenties – pursue aggressive animals fed and groomed specifically for the ritual. To tame the angry bull is proof of manhood. Every year the festival of Pongal brings together man and beast in a ritual clash -- a festival both exciting and controversial. Travel photographer S RIYAZ MOHAMMED sent us these fascinating images from Madurai.