Dec. 11: Hunting dogs were once bred by the dominant castes, particularly the Thevars, in Thoothukudi for family pride. It has now become a business as dogs are now rented out to traditional hunters due to economic necessity and the entry of some other communities in the field.
The Thevar-dominated villages around Srivaikundam, in Thoothukudi district, have been known for generations for their greyhound hunting dogs. Some families are still identified as Vettai Raja Kudumbam (Family of the Hunter King).
However, except for a few families like Srivaikundam’s Chelladurai Thevar’s, many have given up breeding dogs or hunting as the forest department strictly prohibits hunting of even rabbits and rodents in nearby Vallanadu mountain, which is now a protected sanctuary for blackbucks and spotted deer.
Moreover, feeding the dogs is an expensive affair. In the face of these problems, some others evolved a new strategy of renting out their dogs to groups that still hunt in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli.
But not many Thevars rent out their dogs, according to Mr Selvaraj of Vagaikulam, who added that the new entrants in this field (mostly dalits) resort to the rental business.
The dogs were earlier rented out for 20 per cent of the flesh of the prey (mostly rabbits and wild rodents) but are now given only for money — between `100 and `300 according to the calibre of the hound.
Mr Chelladurai, 55, a landlord of Srivaikundam, said he does not give away the puppies his dogs have because he wants to retain his distinct identity in his village. The family used to kill the puppies that they didn’t want to raise. He said they hunt for rabbits in the thorny bushes around the villages that is a necessity as the dogs need the exercise.
No comments:
Post a Comment