Language not a barrier for collaboration on graphic novel adaptation of Vaadivasal: Perumal Murugan

Sport provokes passion

To gain first-hand experience of jallikattu, Appupen personally visited regions known for hosting the event and described the experience as “crazy”.

“Six people who participated in the taming of bulls were killed and their deaths were treated as normal. What was taken seriously was any injury to the animal — even a drop of blood,” he said.

Ms. Kannan set the tone for the discussion by recalling the 2017 protests in support of jallikattu on the sands of Marina Beach, which were described as the “Arab Spring” of Tamil Nadu. “We never thought it would continue for 15 days, though it ended in violence,” she said.

She also noted that the discussion had acquired added significance as a famous jallikattu event took place in Alanganallur on Saturday, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in attendance to witness the ancient sport.

From an era before animal rights activists

When she drew attention to the criticism regarding the cruelty inflicted on animals and the loss of human lives during jallikattu, Mr. Murugan said that when Chellappa wrote the original novel — which was first serialised in a magazine — there were no animal rights activists.

“It is a natural sport of the Tamils, and there was no interference from outside in the past. It was a sport of the pastoral society. It would take place over two to three months. Bull-tamers were trained, and the bulls were also trained throughout the year for the event. It is like training for cricket or other sports. There are minute lessons involved in taming a bull. The youth are trained to tame the bull, while the animal is trained to escape from them,” he said.

Mr. Murugan agreed that power and authority in the novel were exercised on the basis of wealth rather than caste, and that the killing of the bull tamed by its owner illustrates how humans imposed authority even over animals. “The zamindar in the novel feels that his authority has been insulted and undermined by the bull that was tamed,” he said.

Speaking about the experience of working on the graphic novel, Mr. Murugan said his collaborator made the task easier by allowing him to write freely, from which Mr. Appupen selected what he needed.

The illustrator said he had set the stage for readers by drawing bulls at the beginning and used text and visuals according to the context to convey the story to those unfamiliar with the landscape in which it is set.

Goats incoming

The duo are now working on a graphic novel based on Mr. Murugan’s own novel, Poonachi. There have already been hints of what lies in store in the form of goat illustrations in Vaadivasal. “I have already completed the text,” Murugan said.

Mr. Appupen said that creating graphics for a novel centred on the lives of goats would be challenging. “I will use white and black, along with orange, as there are many goat characters,” he said.

The Hindu Lit For Life is presented by The all-new Kia Seltos. In association with: Christ University and NITTE, Associate Partners: Orchids-The International School, Hindustan Group of Institutions, State Bank of India, IndianOil, Indian Overseas Bank, New India Assurance, Akshayakalpa, United India Insurance, ICFAI Group, Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, Vajiram & Sons, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Mahindra University, Realty Partner: Casagrand, Education Partner: SSVM Institutions, State Partner: Government of Sikkim & Uttarakhand Government

Official Timekeeping Partner: Citizen, Regional Partner: DBS Bank India Ltd, Tourism Partner: Bihar Tourism, Bookstore Partner: Crossword, Water Partner: Repute, and Radio partner: Big FM