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Terrific charm
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The failure of crops has hardly taken the sheen off the usual Pongal celebrations, writes R.KRISHNAMOORTHY.
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GUNTER GRASS has said that misery has a terrifying charm. Perhaps true to this adage, one found sections in rural Madurai taking poverty in their stride this festival season. They did not let the failure of crops take the sheen off the usual Pongal celebrations. Rather, the cheerfulness of the poverty-stricken people was something noteworthy.
Despite the peoples' proclivity to celebrate even under trying circumstances, one found the visible greenery in villages surrounding Alanganallur and Palamedu — known for their high profile celebrations — to be pretty misleading. For, this year's greenery does not necessarily reflect prosperity. Yet, the massive turnout of people for various Pongal festivities was an indication enough of their desire to forget the dire straits they are in, even if such a feeling had no lasting value and was simply momentary.
Special events marked Pongal celebrations in most villages. A semblance of gaiety was much in evidence what with different types of competitions conducted for children, adults and elders and they also came with modest prizes.
Unlike in urban pockets, `Bogi' on January 14 did not hold much significance for the villagers. Understandably, the poor man finds every article he possesses too precious to be discarded. However, the next two days were surely reserved for fun and entertainment.
On January 15, the villagers deemed it their duty to celebrate Pongal by praying for a prosperous year ahead and hoping for a good harvest. Using firewood, they prepared sweet pongal in earthern wares to the accompaniment of the shouts of `Pongalo Pongal'. For the next two days, all roads led to Palamedu and Alanganallur, separated by a few kilometres, respectively. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operated special services to these villages.
For years together, `Jallikattu' (taming of bulls) organised in these two villages in connection with `Mattu Pongal', has held a special significance in Pongal celebrations. With decorated bulls, thousands descended on Palamedu-- which villagers opine, is ahead of Alanganallur in defining valour -- to see their bulls reap honour for their respective villages by shaking valorous men off their feet with their awesome horns.
And the bulls did exhibit their ferocity at Palamedu, for, the rules of taming are, more or less, strictly observed here, unlike in Alanganallur. Also, it is in Palamedu, which can take pride of a vast arena, that the valorous men as well as the mighty bulls, with a level playing field, have equal opportunities to outclass each other. It is indeed a pity that the Tourism department patronises the `Jallikattu' at Alanganallur, denying curious foreign tourists, an opportunity to witness raw might and enthusiasm of the bulls and tamers respectively.
At the outset, the organisers at Palamedu announced over public address system that unethical means, such as throwing mud into the eyes of the bulls, poking them with canes or throwing stones, would be viewed seriously. At Palamedu, taming the bulls meant more than clinging on to their humps for the villagers. There were many in the crowd coming forward to take the bulls by their horns knowing well that a handful among them would be tossed in the air.
And those who were knocked down by the bull exhibited an uncanny presence of mind by remaining motionless for a few minutes or by letting out a subdued expression, to escape the bulls' wrath. The crowd yelled as the bulls ploughed through the tamers.
The organisers, by mobilising prizes to the tune of Rs.5 lakh in the form of dhotis, utensils, television sets, mixer grinders and cupboards, could retain the enthusiasm of the crowd all day long. There were vistas of humanity, for it is in this game that the number of participants is almost matched by viewers. A good number of bulls presented an interesting sight, remaining in the arena for long, digging the loose soil with their horns and legs, daring the tamers to get near.
Using tractors as basement on three sides, poles were tied on them to present the sight of a gallery. The fourth side on the `U' shaped arena was meant for letting the marauding bulls get out. Outside the arena, there were people making quick bucks conducting auction sales. Being a `Thiruvizha', the sea of humanity surged wherever there was empty space. A few bulls, which lost way, were found running menacingly along the narrow streets making people run helter-skelter.
About 10 kilometres away at Kondayampatti, the Tourism department had organised a village visit for foreign tourists. The turnout this year was encouraging but unfortunately the department was found short of making proper arrangements. After an hour-long programme in which the tourists witnessed folk performances like `karagam', `mayilattam', and `silambam', the villagers got a chance to mingle with them. Children gathered in droves and communicated with them in smattering English to their delight. The tourists simply went on a photo-clicking spree, as there were many an eager child and adults volunteering for the photo opportunity. The visitors found the traditional lunch of rice, `sambar', `rasam', `kootu', `poriyal' and `appalam' sumptuous. But unlike in the previous years, sweet pongal did not form an integral part of the lunch.
Impressed by the traditional welcome and buoyed by the special treatment meted out to them, several tourists were seen retaining their garlands till the end. Many even quite excitedly ventured to eat with their hands for the first time in their life. They did not seem to mind the discomfort of sitting down with crossed legs and regaling every moment spent in rural Madurai. Surely they would take back home fond memories of the Pongal celebrations and their participation in the festival.
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