With the festival of Pongal around the corner, calls to the Central government to pass an ordinance allowing Jallikattu are fast gaining momentum, and several stars of Kollywood have also issued statements in support of the bull-taming sport.
At the India Today Conclave held in Chennai today, Kamal Haasan came in support of Jallikattu. Speaking to the news channel, he said, “If you want to ban Jallikattu, let’s also ban biriyani.” The veteran actor further added that Jallikattu was a cultural tradition going back several centuries, and the focus must be retaining its true character, and not banning it.
"As it was traditionally known 1000 of years ago, Jallikattu means embracing the bull. I think it’s a part of our culture. They react to emotion,” he said.
“If you want to ban jallikattu, let’s also ban biryani. I am a proud Tamilian. This is our culture. I am one of the very few actors who can lay claim to embracing the bull. I love that sport. It doesn’t kill the bull. More people die of motor vehicle accidents,” he said.
Kamal is however not the first person from the Tamil film industry to raise his voice in support of the sport recently.
Just before the new year, actor Simbu had released a statement stating that it was “utterly disgraceful when some groups and individuals discredit a sport, which is touted to be a cultural symbol of Tamilians.”
“Imposing a law against the popular sentiments of a particular state can never be a binding factor. I trust and bank hopes on the wise men at the helm to intervene and sort out this issue once for all. I am voicing my opinion not just as STR an individual but also as a son of this soil which is rich in culture, heritage and valour. I am awaiting to see the raging bulls and the courageous men together in the arena promoting the sport of valour this Pongal itself. After all, this is our festival, our culture and our sport,” he had said.
Recently, actor and music director GV Prakash announced a new album called Kombu Vecha Singamada (Lion with horns), and promised that all revenue generated from it will go to farmers who are suffering due to drought and the ban on Jallikattu.
#KombuVachaSingamda #jallikattu pic.twitter.com/KREW7YMrgp
— G.V.Prakash Kumar (@gvprakash) January 9, 2017