It’s a cock’s fight!

Prasaad Bhosekar

It has always been in man’s nature to enjoy pleasure in someone else’s pain. The pleasure to watch others fight is very tempting. This human urge gave rise to many fights that were fought just for pleasure with Gladiators being one prominent example.With the growth of civilization, this urge subsided but was not fully finished. So, in the modern age men deviced a new way to satisfy this urge, the cock fight. This became very popular and in spite of being banned by the government is still very much in practice. The East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh is one such region where cockfight is very much in demand especially in the Sankranti season. This age old tradition of this area that once started as a mode of entertainment has now turned into serious profession and serious business. The bets on these cockfights may range anywhere between Rs 10,000 and Rs one lakh. And even though these fights are illegal the locals of this area are not bothered. They consider it their prestige issue. The cocks that are used in these fights are not normal ones rather they are special cocks to perform special task, fighting. These cocks are being readied before the fights by giving them regular exercise, good food and teaching fighting skills as the bets are too high. As Nayudu, a cock trainer says, "daily we give them good massage, bath, make them eat Badam, Pista, Kaju, eggs. The focus is more for three months before the Sankranti fights." This is a very serious business and a lot of money is involved in every fight. K Venkat Rao, a businessman says, "we spend a lot on these cocks. For good varieties we go as far as Punjab, Maharashtra even Tamil Nadu has good varieties apart from our local varieties." Venugopal Raju, a local farmer says, "people come here from Hyderabad, Vizag, Vijayawada and many other places witness the fights and place bets. It is a prestige issue for us and it has been our tradition.`` Even though these cockfights are illegal, government is not able to stop them. The locals themselves encourage such fights and the local police and administration is helpless. This year also lakhs will change hands in these cockfights. So, get ready for the action! Adaptation by: Sharique N Siddiquie