P Chellamuthu, 43, from Pappampalayam in Vellakovil, enjoyed a special bonding with the rare breed of bull before it had an untimely demise in 2018 due to some illness.

Fondly called by him as ‘Othai Komban,’ the sturdy bull had won numerous prizes participating in ‘jallikattu’ and cattle shows across Tamil Nadu. “Othai Komban was like one of my family members. Though it was ferocious on the ground during jallikattu events, the bull was child-like and playful with our family members. It was also very obedient. The bull had died untimely due to some sudden illness, despite treatment,” he said.

The farmer who still couldn’t overcome the grief of its loss says, “It was when the thought of ‘Othai Komban’ refused to fade away from my memory, I decided to erect a statue in its honour.” The statue of the animal, raised with brick and cement, had cost the farmer about Rs 2 lakh. It took nearly five months for him to develop the replica of ‘Othai Komban’ on a raised platform in the same spot, where the animal was put to rest following its demise on September 16, 2018. “It never disappointed us anytime and a prize is ever assured in its participation in both traditional sports and cattle shows. The bull had won several gold and silver coins,” he said.

The farmer, who inherited the skill of raising bulls for jallikattu, from his ancestors presently rears four animals, including the one born to ‘Othai Komban.’