1. Week:
Theme: Social Culture Practices
Skill: 4.3 identifying controlling idea/intended message
5.3 exploring ideas
5.4 comparing & contrasting ideas
5.7 justifying point of view
Topic: “Jalli Kattu” the Men’s Game: Should it be banned? Teacher’s copy
Pre reading
What is your opinion on these games?
- Fox hunting
- Spanish bull fighting
- Cock fighting
(Teacher gives neutral additional opinion)
“Jalli Kattu” the Men’s Game: Should it be banned?
"Jalli Kattu", the dare devilry game of Tamil Nadu, is supposed to be a symbol of valor
for men and is a famous ancient game, which still exists and celebrated during Pongal time.
While on one side tsunami has taken its toll in South India and the Government and
private organisations are trying to rehabilitate and help the survivors overcome the grief, on the
other side no one is worried about the death and injury of young men while fighting with the
bulls and dying in this bravery game.
The bull fighting game exists in interior part of Tamilnadu like Alankanallur etc. A
moneybag is tied around the bulls’ neck and sometimes even a golden chain. These bulls are
brought up and specially trained for these games. The bulls are teased with all kinds of noises
made by drum like instruments called "tharai" and "thappattai". The bulls then run wild hitting
and knocking everyone coming on its way. The lucky men survive while the unlucky ones die.
The surviving men who torture the bull and control them go for the money and the chain. Some
are even luckier and get the hands of the bull owner's daughter in marriage because controlling
the bull is supposed to be a symbol of valour.
Should this daredevilry game exist at all? Why should bulls be tortured in this way and is
there no other way for men to prove their valour except to give their life and make their family
suffer ? Is there no value for life? We are grieving here for loss of lives in tsunami, but would
there be someone who would care for the families who lose their men in this deadly game?
Adapted from Sulekha.com
KK KMPP 08/09
2. Week:
Theme: Social Culture Practices
Skill: 4.3 identifying controlling idea/intended message
5.3 exploring ideas
5.4 comparing & contrasting ideas
5.7 justifying point of view
Topic: “Jalli Kattu” the Men’s Game: Should it be banned? Teacher’s copy
While reading
A. Find appropriate word from the text above which best explains these words
1. Great courage - Valour
2. Change - Rehabilitate
3. Representation - Symbol
4. Extreme cruelty – Devilry
5. Aggravated – Teased
B. Respond to the questions below
1. Why do you think these types of games are practices? – accept any suitable answers
2. Is Jalli Kattu the only way for men to prove their bravery? What is your point of view?
(Accept suitable answers)
3. Is there any other way for the Jalli Kattu game to be regulated so it would be more
humane?
YES
1. limiting allowed methods of enraging the bull
2. limiting allowed methods of subduing
3. separating audience from participants etc.
NO
KK KMPP 08/09
3. Week:
Theme: Social Culture Practices
Skill: 4.3 identifying controlling idea/intended message
5.3 exploring ideas
5.4 comparing & contrasting ideas
5.7 justifying point of view
Topic: “Jalli Kattu” the Men’s Game: Should it be banned? Teacher’s copy
(accept any suitable answers)
*Teachers are encouraged to provide neutral opinion.
4. Why do you think the Jalli Kattu is not banned though it is deemed a cruel game?
(accept any suitable answers)
5. In the era of modernization, do these types of dare devilry game act as an element to
sustain the tradition of a particular society?
(accept any suitable answers)
Post reading
In groups of four, find other unique games practiced in different society around the world.
Prepare a report not more than 200 words on your finding.
Sample answer:
Bamboo Swings (Danh Du): Vietnamese Cultural Game
In the Ly Dynasty, in spring or the first lunar month, boys and girls get together and play
Danh Du. The game is most popular in the northern delta, especially along the banks of the
Duong River in Bac Ninh Province. Residents in many villages around Hanoi, including the
ancient capital of Co Loa, also set up swings during spring festivals. First, the couple steps onto
the swing platform and stands face to face. Then they press their feet against platform floor and
KK KMPP 08/09
4. Week:
Theme: Social Culture Practices
Skill: 4.3 identifying controlling idea/intended message
5.3 exploring ideas
5.4 comparing & contrasting ideas
5.7 justifying point of view
Topic: “Jalli Kattu” the Men’s Game: Should it be banned? Teacher’s copy
bend their knees. Gradually, the swing begins to move like a pendulum. The harder they press,
the higher the swing flies. At the height or their swinging, the two almost lie on top of one
another. The crowd cheers. As soon as the couple reaches the highest point, one of the two will
stretch out a hand and try to snatch the prize. This is the most difficult part of the game, for it
requires that both players be calm, clever and acts as a team. They lose if they drop the prize.
The crowd is just as anxious, hoping the couple manages to secure the prize as a reward for
their long days of practice.
KK KMPP 08/09
