Jallikattu protests, Jallikattu ban
© Selvaprakash Lakshmanan

An interest in capturing the relationship between man and animal drove L Selvaprakash, a photojournalist, to the streets on Madurai during the Pongal of 2008. His focus?The iconic Jallikattu. With camera in hand and a curious mind, he documented every moment of the age-old tradition.

Jallikattu protests, Jallikattu ban
Madurai 2015: Despite the ban against using bulls for Jallikattu or bullock-cart races across the country, some villagers are seen here getting prepared for an event in the hope that the Supreme Court would lift the ban in 2015. One of the villagers takes his bull for a wash to a pond, while local village children watch them.© Selvaprakash Lakshmanan

"While I was working in Madurai, back in 2002, I was assigned to cover the sport. But it was not until 2008 that I really wanted to document the event. So, I took a short break from work and headed to Madurai to capture the event. The in-depth documentation pushed me to not only cover the event, but also created a kind of curiosity about what happens to the bulls in the off season," Selvaprakash explains.

The curiosity led to the photographer to a number of Tamil Nadu villages (known to organise the sport) during the non-Jallikattu season.

Jallikattu protests, Jallikattu ban
© Selvaprakash Lakshmanan

"I met a few bull owners and understood that the cattle involved in the sport are taken good care of. Families belonging from economically weak sections of society also make an effort to keep the cattle healthy and unharmed," he notes.

Jallikattu protests, Jallikattu ban
© Selvaprakash Lakshmanan

After his detailed visual analysis, what is his take on the situation? Selvaprakash questions, "Any domesticated animal goes through some form of cruelty. Then why object only to the bull and Jallikattu?"

Jallikattu protests, Jallikattu ban
Alanganallur, India 2015: A bull owner asks his granddaughter to touch the bull to show how friendly his Jallikattu bull is.Despite the Supreme Court ban against the use of bulls for Jallikattu, people show their unshaken interest in the festival.© Selvaprakash Lakshmanan

He feels that the rate of cruelty varies, but at the end of the day, it is cruelty. "Everyone wants to see whatever they want to see," he adds.

Jallikattu protests, Jallikattu ban
Protesters gather against the Jallikattu ban in 2016© Selvaprakash Lakshmanan

Through his pictures, you will understand why he chose to make a feature on this particular sport. Take a look at the magnificent pictures from the sporting event and behind-the-scenes and decide for yourself, do you support the ban or are you against it?

Jallikattu protests, Jallikattu ban
© Selvaprakash Lakshmanan