May 4, 2012
62 people were injured when an elephant that was paraded for the Thrissur Pooram went out of control. One of the injured women is in serious condition in the hospital. The newspaper headlines suggest that the elephant was in the wrong. Apparently, it was supposed to stand enjoying the loud music, the noise of hundreds of thousands in attendance and the sweltering heat, not to mention the presence of 29 other tuskers.
The immediate cause was the stabbing it received from the elephant standing next to it. We will soon punish that elephant. We're first determining whether it is of Italian origin before letting the law take its course.
A debate has been raging in the "letters to the editor" section of major newspapers about the torture of elephants in the name of temple festivals. There are enough 'Hindus' who are deeply offended that meat-eating uncouth are screaming for animal rights.
In a letter this morning, a gentleman suggests that elephants actually shake their heads and wave their ears in appreciation of the music and the rituals. Brilliant! As long as we have such folks who either remember details from their previous elephant birth or know elephant language to be keepers of animal conscience, there shouldn't be any debate at all.
30 elephants, split into two equal teams assemble for the competition between two temples that forms the essence of the Thrissur Pooram festival. As far as I know, it has nothing to do with the Jewish festival of a similar sounding name, though the Jews were a prominent, powerful section of Kerala's population till 17th century.
9000 liters of water was consumed by these 30 tuskers in one day. At least during the Pooram, ardent devotess don't go out of the way in imposing new rituals on the poor animals. In other temples there is a new practice of pulling the elephant's tail to commemorate Lord Subramanya pulling his elephant-headed brother, Ganesha's tail. The animal then runs berserk around the temple and lo and behold, the gates of the Hindu heaven swing open.
I wonder if the number 30 comes from the latent memory of another gruesome traditions in the annals of Kerala history. The festival that used to be celebrated in the banks of Bharathapuzha during the day of Makam in the month of Magham, hence the name Maghamakam or Mamankam, has a story that would interest Tarantino.
Originally, it was a religious festival under the Kulasekhara kings. But after the dynasty's downfall, the responsibility fell on the small time ruler of the area, Valluvakonathiri.
Traders based out of Kozhikode, especially Kozhikode Koya, were interested in capturing Thirunavaya area and the river so that a route opened up all the way to Coimbatore. They got Samuthiri, the Kozhikode king, and Mangattachan, his minister, interested in the plan. During one of the 13th century Mamankams, Valluvakonathiri was killed by the assassins from Kozhikode.
The festival was transformed into a massive trade fair under Kozhikode's management and continued to be celebrated for 26 days every 12 years. The most amazing as well as disturbing event came during the final day.
A 30-member strong suicide squad from erstwhile Valluvanad will attack the festive crowd seeking revenge for the defeat of Valluvakonathiri and murder of his two princes. All these 30 men would fight till they get slaughtered by Samuthiri's soldiers. How Fun!
This gruesome, bloody, violent "celebration" was recorded as late as 1597 by Jesuit priests. Better sense prevailed after that year and the final event was made merely a ceremonial battle without the bloodshed. Better late than never! The final large scale Mamankam was celebrated in 1765 after which Hyderali's invasions crippled the kingdom of Kozhikode.
Nowadays, instead of Thirunavaya it is Thrissur, instead of 12 year cycle it is every year and instead of men, pachyderms suffer, 30 of them to match!
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