Chennai: Its been a year, the revolutionary Jallikattu protest took place in Chennai, that turned the heads of people all over the world, and had a global impact. It was truly a historical event where the Jallikattu bulls, jumped into the field fiercely, marking their footprints against the authority that attempted to ban the traditional sport of Tamilians.
With the advent of the first anniversary of the revolutionary Jallikattu protest, Malaysia based Astro TV management is organising ” Jallikattu” in full swing in Malaysia, on January 7th 2018, to have a connect with its Indian expat audience by organising the event “Jallikattu in Malaysia”and telecasting the same in their Indian language channels. “Jallikattu in Malaysia” was inaugurated in Chennai recently. The chief guests of the event were Ma Foi K. Pandiarajan, Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture, Prof. G. Gnanasambandam, Dr. P. Rajasekar, President, Tamilnadu Jallikattu Peravai and actor Bharani. The event will be held in selangor turf club, Kualalumpur, in which participants from Tamilnadu will be attempting to tame the 20 Malaysian native breed bulls.
Commenting on the event, Dr.N. C. Rajamani – President of Indian Programmes group- Astro TV said, ” The pride of Tamilnadu has widespread its branches beyond boundaries. After multiple attempts with the Malaysian government we have finally obtained permission for Jallikattu. We have been adhering to the rules of the Malaysian government. None of the organisations, including the Animal welfare board is against Malaysian Jallikattu. I was surprised to see Tamilians in “Little India” gathering in support of the youngsters during the Jallikattu protest. I was moved when I spoke with them and they were very strong to keep their culture alive. But they did not know much about Jallikattu, that is when I thought of organising the traditional sport in Malaysia. We did not want to bring bulls from here owing to practical difficulties, hence we sent Jallikattu players from Madurai to different parts of Malaysia , they have chosen humped bulls.
This year’s Jallikattu is just a preview, if Malaysian youngsters, witnessing this event wish to participate, they will be trained in Madurai, next year 2018 they will also be participating along with the Tamil players. In 2020, Jallikattu will be held only with Malaysian players. We expect around 5000 audience this year and we welcome audience from all over the world. We are also planning to execute a campaign ” Selfie with Kaalai”, in which the people in Tamilnadu , who domesticate bulls will have to send a selfie with the bull. The details will be announced soon. “
The chief guest of the event,Ma Foi K. Pandiarajan, Minister for Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture, said, ” On this year’s Pongal I got a call at midnight saying that, there are about 100 youngsters gathered in Marina beach, and I have to convince them to dissolve, by the time I reached the place, there were about 4000 people gathered, later it unexpectedly become a youngsters revolutionary event. The entire cabinet was restless. Finally Jallikattu was successfully conducted all over the state. Tamilians welfare was saved. Even common man protested.
Jallikattu protest is an event were the roots of Tamil culture was kindled. For the very first time Jallikattu is crossing boundaries. Tamil soldiers moved to other countries during the Chola dynasty war and their generations are still living there. Tamilans have spread their branches in 155 countries, this Malaysian Jallikattu has made them all proud. “
Dr.N. C. Rajamani – President of Indian Programmes group- Astro TV, promised to preside over and support Jallikattu by adhering to the rules. Astro Network is planning to Live telecast the event with an extensive marketing initiative.
In recent times Astro Malaysia’s Indian language channels are welcoming the Indian advertisers to spend in their channels to target the Malaysian Indian audience, who travel frequently to major Indian cities for their shopping needs.
Astro Malaysia has conducted an advertiser connect summit in Chennai and appointed Chennai based Challenge Advertising as its Ad Sales partner in India.
