Ahead of the Pongal festival, the production of ropes for Jallikattu bulls is in full swing in several villages around Tiruppuvanam, Sivagangai district. Villages such as Sottathatti, Panaiyur, and Sayanaipuram are witnessing an intensive effort to make ropes for the bulls used in Jallikattu. This traditional industry plays a significant role in the celebration of Pongal, which is observed for three days in Tamil Nadu.
The festival celebrates the harvest and offers gratitude to the Sun God and the animals that support agricultural life. On the day after Pongal, farmers celebrate Mattu Pongal, where they honor their cattle by bathing them, applying turmeric, and adorning them with new ropes, garlands, and clothes. It's a time when cattle, especially cows and bulls, are dressed up with nose ropes, neck ropes, and other decorative items. These ropes, which are traditionally renewed once a year, are essential for the Jallikattu festival, which is held during Pongal.
In Tiruppuvanam and surrounding areas, local artisans are working together to produce these ropes, and their work is critical to the upcoming celebrations. Around 100 to 150 workers are involved in making ropes for different purposes, including those for Jallikattu bulls, calves, and even decorative ropes for weddings. The ropes are manufactured in a range of colors, including green, red, black, yellow, and white, with white ropes being particularly in demand. The finished products are sold not just in Tamil Nadu but also in northern states.
Ropes like the "Thottu Kayi," "Thirumangalyam Kayi," "Pidi Kayi" for bulls, and "Mukkanan Kayi" for cows are some of the popular items produced in these workshops. The raw material for these ropes is bought in bulk from Madurai, and workers skillfully weave and process them into the final products. The demand for these ropes spikes ahead of the festival, and the local industry plays a vital role in the Pongal celebrations across Tamil Nadu.
