Salim and Kayal #Watty's 2016 # YourStoryIndia #ProjectWomanUp

It's called as right attitude

Kayal's POV

In the morning I prepared Rava kichadi(A dish made with semolina and few vegetables) and Jaanu prepared Mint chutney (a spicy condiment) for all of us. Our cook was really sweet. She didn't have any problem with us girls using her kitchen for our culinary experiments. After that all of us went for jogging. As usual I handed over the box to Salim who was waiting near the roundtanna. Being active that early in the morning makes our day. After our jogging session, I settled to read a novel when Sara occupied the bathroom. The novel was 'Uppu Kanaku' by Vidhya Subramaniyam. The story gave me a good perspective on the Vedharanyam Salt March and our freedom struggle.

I was too engrossed in the novel when Jaanu shook me. "Kayal, get ready fast. Today Adhikari Sir will be taking all our classes. We shouldn't get late." Just then all our mobiles buzzed with a WhatsApp notification. I saw Jaanu and Sara checking it out. So, I didn't bother to check and rushed to our bathroom.

Even though I knew that I have to hurry, I couldn't keep the book down. So, I was reading that novel while having my breakfast and all the way up to my class. Even after reaching our class, I couldn't keep the book down. I was still reading it. All our mobiles buzzed again with a notification. I didn't want to shift my eyes from my novel. I saw Jaanu and Sara checking it out. So, I asked them, "Anything important?"

Sara replied "No. They have just said 'All the best'" and carried on to do last minute preparations for the presentation. Without bothering to check the message, I simply typed 'T U' and continued with my reading. It was only when Professor Adhikari entered our class, I reluctantly kept the book down. Few of the presentations were extremely boring. Whenever I found them boring I again picked up my novel. Thankfully Professor Adhikari was sitting in his Chair. I don't think he can notice me reading my novel. I used to do this all through my high school days and Under Graduation Days. It's a little weird to carry on this habit even now. But what to do, this book is very interesting and the class is boring.

When Mohit's presentation was over I heard Professor Adhikari's voice "Kayal and Salim Ali". I stood up from my place and walked towards the podium. Salim followed me and inserted the Pen drive to the projector. He mouthed, "All the best." I nodded and said, "Let's rock." I first took charge of the presentation. Then we showed a video clipping of Jallikattu(Bull Taming) to tell people that this how Jallikattu actually happens. I slowly explained the history, rules of the game, restrictions posed by the Government etc. After that Salim took over and explained about the disadvantages of a ban on Jallikattu. Normally I could identify his smell even from this distance. But thankfully, today I couldn't smell his perfume. Thank God. 

After that it was Q and A session. Aakash popped up with a question, "When there are so many things to define culture like dance, painting, songs etc why do you want to torture a bull?"

Salim was irritated, "First of all, we aren't torturing a bull. Mostly the bulls don't get hurt. Because, bulls are considered to be sacred and when anything happens to the bull, it is considered to be a bad omen for the whole village. It is a sport."

When Salim finished, I spoke up, "I also wish to add that nobody has the right or authority to define what is culture to us. We, Tamilians have been living in our land for thousands of years. Jallikattu has its reference even in Sangam literature dating to 2nd BCE – 2nd CE. It is our traditional sport. If you define culture as dance, architecture and songs it simply shows your elitist attitude. We are an inclusive society. We consider Jallikattu as part of our traditions as much as we consider art. No elitist snob has any right to poke their nose in our traditions and teach us. We are civilized enough to distinguish between animal torture and a game."