Suresh abhayam Photography

20/10/2025

28/02/2020

Jallikattu (A way to find the best Bull for Breed) also known as 'Eruthazhuvuthal' is a bull-taming sport played across Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu Pongal day. Jallikattu has been around for over 2000 years. The event was recorded in ancient literature as ‘Eruthazhuvuthal. Initially, it was a ceremony to select a bridegroom - the successful tamer would get to marry the maiden. Though Jallikattu is similar to Spanish bullfights, the animal is not killed and the 'fighters' are unarmed and merely tamed during Jallikattu. The sport involves a natively reared stud that is set free inside an arena filled with young participants. The challenge lies in taming the bull with bare hands. Ideally, participants try to grab the bull by its horns or tail and wrestle it into submission. The annual event is said to date back to the third century during the Pandya rule, which is well before Spain's bullfight evolved. Though simple injuries are common, deaths have also been reported in the past.
All people, irrespective of caste and religion participate in this event.

For a few years, it was my desire to see this festival of Jellikeattu and capture these moments through my lens. When I finally got the dates for this event, I first called my friend Bijo and shared my decision to watch this event. Without giving a second thought about his professional and personal commitments, he was all thrilled to join me on this exciting trip to Madurai.

We started off early morning on January 15th. Jasmine Bijo also joined us, both of them are my close friends. They recently moved back to India from Hong Kong. It was also the right time to catch up with our friendship and routine conversations and thus this trip became a memorable one. Bijo, a competent and watchful driver, decided to go to Madurai through the long route and dense forest (Athirapilly-Udumal Peattu-Palani-Madurai). They had seen elephants and tiger a few weeks before in this same route. As usual, I didn’t see any animals. I was more worried about the “Black Label” which I hid in my camera bag. Luckily we escaped m the forest security checks. As it was the Pongal holidays, the majority of the restaurants were closed. However the famous “Murukan’s idally shop” was open and we had our dinner here, which was an excellent treat!
On January 16th, the Jellikeattu was in Palamedu town and on 17th in Alaganellur. These are the 2 most famous Jellikattu in Tamilnadu. The crowd was huge and somehow we managed to get a good spot on both days. Jasmine braved to stay back with us with her migraine, special thanks to her high spirits to watch the event

Finally, the daunting task was to select these 20 photos from the 3,000+ photos, thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak, as I could get some time to convert these to JPG and Kavitha helped me to select these photos.
Hope you all enjoy browsing these memorable photos from the event of ‘Jellikeattu’.

08/12/2018

Pottan Theyyam is a lively and colourful ritualistic dance. The story goes that Lord Shiva wanted to test the intelligence of Sree Sankaracharya, who was about to reach the Sarvanjapeetam (the zenith of wisdom). The Thottam (introductory part) of Pottan Theyyam describes how Lord Shiva dons his role as Chandalan.
As a kind of question –answer teaching, Lord Shiva disguised as Pulaya Pottan asks the Sankaracharya, “If there is a cut on the body, the blood will come out and the blood of mine and yours will have the same color. So, what is the difference between us?”
Even now during the Pottan theyyam performance, the performer chants all these teachings aloud to spread the message of humanity.
When compared to other forms of Theyyam,Pottan Theyyam is outstanding because of the versatile way of storytelling and bewitching performance. It is admirable that still there are sections in society that continues with the traditions and cultural heritage of the State.

നിങ്കള കൊത്ത്യാലും ചോരേല്ലെ ചൊവ്വറെ, �
നാങ്കള കൊത്ത്യാലും ചോരേല്ലെ ചൊവ്വറെ, �പിന്നെന്ത് ചൊവ്വറു കുലം പിശക് ന്ന്, �തീണ്ടിക്കൊണ്ടല്ലേ കുലം പിശ്ക് ന്ന്
Kolladhari - Valappilshajupanikker PV (brother of Valappil Shyju P)

26/11/2018

Pottan Theyyam is a vivid, lively and colorful ritualistic dance which comes in the traditional art form of Theyyam. Pottan theyyam is a form of resistance, symbolizing goodness that would wipe out the social evils in the community. Pottan theyyam is also traditionally performed with a large fire, the embers of which pottan theyyam will rest upon (with the people insisting/requesting him to get up). While capturing these photos, my camera stopped working, even though I was away around 10feet from the fire.
Kolladhari - Valappilshajupanikker PV (brother of (Valappil Shyju P)

24/11/2018

Vishnu Moorthy Theyyam

14/02/2016

Lion dance ( 舞獅 ) is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. The lion dance is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other Chinese traditional, cultural and religious festivals. It may also be performed at important occasions such as business opening events, special celebrations or wedding ceremonies, or may be used to honour special guests by the Chinese communities. Chinese lion dance fundamental movements can be found in most Chinese martial arts.

01/06/2014

Kathakali is a traditional classical dance combined with drama and music with attractive and eloborate makeup, colourful constumes, detailed guestures and well defined body movements. It was originated in Kerala during the 17th century and continues to attarct people to learn this classical dance-drama not only from India but other parts of the world too.
The language of the songs used for Kathakali is mostly in Sanskrit. It's usually a bit difficult to understand , so normally after a short time or when my camera says 'ENOUGH', I vacate the place....

20/01/2014

"Bali" the furious monkey king. My favourite character in 'Kathakali'.

02/01/2014

27/12/2013

Behind the screen.

Kathakali is a traditional classical dance combined with drama and music with attractive and eloborate makeup, colourful constumes, detailed guestures and well defined body movements. It was originated in Kerala during the 17th century and continues to attarct people to learn this classical dance-drama not only from India but other parts of the world too.
The language of the songs used for Kathakali is mostly in Sanskrit. It's usually a bit difficult to understand , so normally after a short time or when my camera says 'ENOUGH', I vacate the place....

27/12/2013