Monday, March 27, 2023
  • Login
The South First
Advertisement
  • Home
  • States
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Tamil Nadu
    • Telangana
  • Politics
    • Behind the News
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Health
  • Videos
  • Dakshin Dialogues
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • States
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Tamil Nadu
    • Telangana
  • Politics
    • Behind the News
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Health
  • Videos
  • Dakshin Dialogues
No Result
View All Result
The South First
No Result
View All Result

Home » Andhra Pradesh » Andhra Pradesh districts prepare for rooster fights during Sankranthi, despite ban

Andhra Pradesh districts prepare for rooster fights during Sankranthi, despite ban

After it was washed out for two years due to the pandemic, organisers of rooster fights are hoping for a bounty this year.

SNV SudhirbySNV Sudhir
Published:12/01/2023 3:17 pm
A A
A cockfight in Andhra Pradesh. (Supplied)

A cockfight in Andhra Pradesh. (Supplied)

Coastal Andhra Pradesh — particularly vast swaths in the Krishna and Godavari basins — is preparing for the bloody sport of cock-fighting, featuring fighter roosters known as “Pandem Kollu”.

After all, Sankranthi — the harvest festival — is just around the corner: It is celebrated every year on 14, 15, and 16 January.

Every year, it is estimated that at least 2 lakh fighting roosters entertain spectators during the three-day festival.

After it was washed out in the previous two years due to the pandemic-induced economic downturn, organisers of rooster fights are hoping for a bounty this year.

The roosters are trained and bred for almost a year prior to the Sankranthi festivities. The breeders feed the birds a nutritious balanced diet of millets, cereals, dry fruits, and minced mutton so that they can withstand attacks from opposing roosters and develop agility and robustness.

The roosters are also given stamina training: They are taken swimming at least twice a day — in the morning and evening — and they are also trained in jumps.

Of history and culture

While there are no official records of when cock fights began in Andhra Pradesh, they have grown in popularity in both the Godavari and Krishna districts over the years.

What began as a form of entertainment during the three-day Sankranti festival has evolved into a gambling game.

A participant with his rooster in Andhra Pradesh. (Supplied)
A participant with his rooster in Andhra Pradesh. (Supplied)

Unofficial estimates suggest that at least ₹1,000 crore changes hands over the three days, with the majority of the money spent in and around Bhimavaram in the West Godavari district and Kaikaluru in the Krishna district.

Both are prosperous and wealthy areas of the Krishna and Godavari river basins.

The fights — between razor-wielding roosters with alert eyes and gleaming tails — often do not last long. In a short period of time, enthusiasts place bets on each of the roosters competing.

Despite the fact that the Supreme Court permitted cock fighting for entertainment while prohibiting the tying of knives and betting, the illegal activity continues unabated. And all of this occurs while the police are present.

Huge pandals with oversized LED screens are erected in places, and even casino setups are seen these days.

Ai Bhimavaram in the West Godavari district is one of the prominent places in Andhra Pradesh where high-stakes cockfights take place on a large scale on open grounds.

Each round of fighting in each of the 200 designated fighting rings attracts bets of ₹10 lakh.

At least 20 fights are scheduled in each ring every day over the three days.

“It’s part of our culture. It is only for three days after we worked all year. The three days are for enjoyment, and the main attraction is cockfighting. It gives you that adrenaline rush,” West Godavari resident Kumara Varma told South First.

Administrative steps

On their part, the police dispatch special teams to seize the knives tied to the roosters’ legs to prevent bloody sport.

“In this regard, we can’t really control the activity over the three days. All we can do is stop the bloodshed by seizing the knives and preventing gambling from taking place,” said a senior police official from one of the former twin Godavari districts.

“How can we go against everyone when entire villages are engaged in cockfighting in the name of age-old tradition and culture?” he asked.

With the election just around the corner, politicians also have no choice but to organise these cock fighting events in their area.

Every year, politicians — ranging from sarpanches to ward members, from MLAs and ministers — sponsor such cockfighting events during Sankranthi as part of their “outreach” activities to woo the locals.

The roosters themselves

A cockfight in Andhra Pradesh. (Supplied)
A cockfight in Andhra Pradesh. (Supplied)

Though there are approximately 20-30 varieties of roosters used in cock fighting, five of them are in high demand: pacha, benaki dega, kaaki nemali, setu, and kaaki dega. These five varieties are well-known for their fierce fighting abilities.

These varieties range in price from ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 each. A fighting rooster that arrives at the weekly shandy markets a month before Sankranthi costs ₹6,000.

“In addition to providing a nutritious diet, we must care for and protect our roosters. There is also the possibility of sabotage. Opponents sometimes attempt to poison our roosters. When the birds are pushed into the ring, this sport can become a prestige issue,” said Sarath A from West Godavari, who bought a nemali dega rooster recently at the Gokavaram shandy market near Kakinada.

Cockfighting was prohibited in the state in 2014, thanks to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 and the AP Gaming Act of 1974. In 2018, the ban was reinstated.

Don't miss our top stories!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more information.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Recommended For You

Amit Shah Hyderabad
Karnataka

Amit Shah defends Bommai Cabinet decision to scrap quota for minorities, blames Congress

March 27, 2023
Karnataka

Karnataka BJP sees its fortunes swing in its Achilles heel, the Old Mysore region

March 27, 2023
malayalam actor innocent
Entertainment

Who is Innocent? Malayalam actor and former MP from Kerala breathes his last

March 26, 2023
Protest organised by Karnataka Congress. (Supplied)
Karnataka

Congress holds nationwide protests over the disqualification of Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi

March 26, 2023
Brahmapuram wasteyard fire
Kerala

Fire breaks out at Brahmapuram waste treatment plant again

March 26, 2023
D Srinivas, son D Sanjay with Telangana Congress leaders. (Twitter)
Andhra Pradesh

Former Andhra Pradesh Congress president D Srinivas rejoins party with son D Sanjay

March 26, 2023

Top Stories

Karnataka BJP sees its fortunes swing in its Achilles heel, the Old Mysore region

March 27, 2023
Protest organised by Karnataka Congress. (Supplied)

Congress holds nationwide protests over the disqualification of Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi

March 26, 2023
BRS Maharashtra

Looking to branch out, BRS to contest zilla parishad elections in Maharashtra

March 26, 2023

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Like and Follow

Follow @TheSouthfirst

Latest

Amit Shah Hyderabad

Amit Shah defends Bommai Cabinet decision to scrap quota for minorities, blames Congress

March 27, 2023

Karnataka BJP sees its fortunes swing in its Achilles heel, the Old Mysore region

March 27, 2023
malayalam actor innocent

Who is Innocent? Malayalam actor and former MP from Kerala breathes his last

March 26, 2023
The South First

CATEGORIES

  • News
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Entertainment & Culture
  • Featured
  • Health & Wellness
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Telangana

PAGES

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2023 The South First

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • States
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Tamil Nadu
    • Telangana
  • Politics
    • Behind the News
  • Entertainment & Culture
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Health & Wellness
  • Dakshin Dialogues
  • Videos

© 2023 The South First

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our