The living Legacy of Kangayam Bull

Tamil Sangam literature refers to the vast herds of the region “Kongar-Aa-paranthanna” (as vast as the cow herds of the Kongars) and the cattle producing nature of the country, “Aa-kezhu-Kongar-Nadu” (The cow rearing Kongars) in Patiṟṟuppattu verses 77 and 22 respectively. Patiṟṟuppattu is a eulogistic work on the Cheras and the attributes of their country. Also another literary tradition says, “Kongu-Nadu-Avinam-Udaithu” reflecting on the abundance of cattle in this country.”கொங்கர் ஆபரந்தன்ன” (பதிற்றுப்பத்து 77)”ஆகெழு கொங்கர் நாடு” (பதிற்றுப்பத்து 22)The words Chera and Konga are used interchangeably as referring to the monarch and his people. The literature refer to the Vellalas as Gangakulam of Suryavamsam, originally from Kosala country of the north, which again is evident from the literary nomenclature of the Cheras and Adiyamans as “Mudhu-Kosar” and “Ilang-Kosar” – the elder and younger Kosars respectively.

Every breed in India has two types: The basic foundation breed, Nadu Dana which is found throughout the tract and its improved version – the über Dodda Dana; best expressed by these Kannada terms. Here in this context, the foundation breed is the Konga or Ganganadu which is acclaimed as the cattle that accompanied the Vellalas from the Gangetic plains during prehistoric times. This fact is also established by modern genetic studies. The cattle of Kangayam Nadu which due to the unrelenting efforts of the House of Palayakottai, right from the ancient times have been the only über breed to escape the ravages of the overlapping Semitic invasions which wiped out nearly all of the other über breeds of Konga cattle. This selective breeding mechanism had then inspired breeders like Dewan Purniah of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom to develop über Dodda Dana breeds like Amrit Mahaland Khilari from their foundation Hallikar breed.

The Breed

The Kangayam cattle conform largely to the Southern Indian Mysore type, thought there is evidence of the blood of the gray-white Ongole cattle in their composition. Possibly this mixture has given the breed its larger size in comparison with other cattle of the Mysore type. This breed, in its native area, is also known by other names of Kanganad and Kongu though the name Kangayam is well-known. These cattle are bred in the southern and southeastern area of the Coimbatore district of Madras State in India. It is observed that there are two varieties of Kangayam cattle, one small and the other large. The smaller variety is found to be more numerous in the Kangayam, Dharampuram, Udmalpet, Pollachi, Paddadam and Erode subdivisions, while the larger variety is found in the areas of Karur, Aravakurchi and Dindigul subdivisions. The breed is found in its pure form in the herds of some large breeders, notably the Pattagar of Palayakottai, who is supposed to have one of the best herds of the breed in the country.

Both varieties of this breed are strong and active, with compact bodies and short, stout legs with strong hooves. Horns in the smaller variety spread apart nearly straight, with a slight curve backwards. In the larger variety, the horns are much longer, curve outwards and backwards and almost complete a circle at the point where they approach the tips. The head is of moderate size with only slightly prominent forehead. The head is more proportionate to the body with a straighter profile than in most of the Mysore type cattle. The ears are small, erect and pointed. The eyes are dark and prominent with black rings around them.

The neck is short and thick. The back is short, broad and level. The body is compact, with well sprung ribs. The quarters are slightly drooping. The dewlap is thin and extends only up to the sternum. The sheath is well tucked up to the body. The hump in bulls, though well-developed, is firm. The hair is fine and short and the skin is dark in pigment and fine in texture. The tail is of moderate length with a black switch reaching well below the hocks.

Kangayam color is usually gray or white. The males generally are gray with black or very dark gray coloring on the head, neck, hump and quarters. In the cows, the prevailing color is white and gray with deep markings on the knees, and just above the fetlocks on all four legs. The calves are light or dark brown with gray or white on the inside of the thighs, ears and forelegs, and occasionally with gray or white rings on the pasterns and fetlocks. At two years the heifer turns gray or dark gray and retains this color but with advancing age after maturity the color fades and becomes white. Male calves become dark gray or iron gray with black shading over the head, neck, hump, dewlap, fore and hind quarters. With maturity the black shading becomes intensified. Castrated males, however, show fading of the color.
Kangayam cattle are of moderate size, active and powerful, and are highly prized draft animals. The cows are generally poor milkers but there are encounters of fair producing abilities.