When oxen suffer to prove a man's machismo

When oxen suffer to prove a man's machismo
MANOJ K DAS

KOCHI, MARCH 11: With no animal lovers watching, the mute oxen wore the look of hapless ensnared fawns as the macho Maramadi participants mercilessly shoved and pulled them to the starting line of the famed cattle race at Kakkoor, near Piravom, about 45 km from here.

As the beasts stood perplexed on the "race track" (a specially prepared patch of slush), hundreds of men, women and children screamed in unison. The hold on the nose-rope tightened causing the animals to cringe with pain.

When the flag goes down signalling the beginning of the race, like powered rockets, the oxen (in pairs) lunged wildly through the slush. The men ran behind them, shouting aloud, and prodding the beasts to run faster.

After the race is over, the timings are announced. Something less than eight seconds. The celebrations began. And naturally, the beasts were forgotten. Their silent suffering has become a mandatory part of the Kakkoor Kala Vayal, an annual agricultural meet.

Maramadi and the cart race are part of the Kakkoor agri fest. Teams come from all over the State with specially trained beasts to take part in the fest. "For Maramadi, they come from the Kottarakkara area and for the cart race from Palakkad side," said Ravi, a local resident.

The lush greenery of Kakkoor is witness to the suffering of the animals during the agri meet. "The beasts are beaten up and their tails are pricked with nails to make them run fast. Sometimes, they're even given brandy."

"We've heard that severe brutality is inflicted on the beasts taking part in the cart race. Batteries are hidden in the carts and electric shocks given to 'accelerate' the oxen."

The cruelty to the animal is directly proportional to the prize money, says Anirudhan. "There have been instances when chilly paste was applied in the anus of the beast."

But Alexander alias Thankachan sir, a school teacher and Maramadi champion, refutes the allegations.

Maramadi and similar feats are part of Kerala's agri fests. Farmers rear beasts specially for the race. "Normally, oxen are bought from Chenkottai, Rajapalayam, Puliyankudy etc. in Tamil Nadu. These beasts have good stamina and can be easily provoked," points out Thankachan. The racing season begins in August and it's a time for the farmers to exhibit their macho skills to counterparts elsewhere.

"But modernisation is taking the charm away from all this," says Vijayan of Thirumarady panchayat. "Till a couple of decades ago, thousands of beasts were brought for the festival. Their numbers are dwindling. It's tractors everywhere."

But the fizz is bubbling at this year's festival. More than 10 teams participated in Maramadi and the proud winners this time are the Thazhekkadu brothers. The losers, of course, the nameless oxen.