Gania: In Hindu religion, a bull is worshipped as the mount of Lord Shiva. However, pangs of poverty have forced a youth from Uttar Pradesh to make use of the animal for his livelihood.
Shankarnanda Gouda of Mathura has trained a huge bull and makes a tour of the country to display the unusual camaraderie he has established with the colourfully decorated animal. Shankar, however, termed it as his family profession and aims to visit Lord Jagannath in Puri along with his parents and the bull.
The extraordinary equation between Shankar and his pet shows that animals may fail to express their feelings before human beings, but they can easily understand their language. While people thoroughly enjoy the acts, Shankar manages to earn a few bucks to run his family.
Shankar first makes a round of the village along with his beautifully caparisoned animal. Then he picks up a spot where he beats drums to gather people following which the performance begins.
For example, when the animal is asked whether it wants to attack any of the viewers, he shakes his head to answer in negative. To the excitement of onlookers, the bull, when being commanded by his master, easily identifies persons with wrist watches or mobile phones. It can also move near the person with grey hairs. Surprisingly, the animal with a weight of around 10 quintals dances on the thigh, chest and head of his master using its front legs without harming him.
A major attraction of the show is the bull acting as a tiger. When asked to show the audience as to how a tiger feasts on its prey, the bull opens mouth and acts as if it is sinking its teeth into the neck of his master. The animal continues to remain in that posture for around 15 minutes signalling the end of the show.
Amused by the act, people pour coins, notes and stuff like rice and grains on a sheet spread out at the site. The money and the grains he earns this way is adequate for a family of three, Shankar says. PNN
