a)Pheruthalayam– This is a dangerous one, it has seven fins. The arrival of this shark reminds one of a jet as it is believed that it can attack you if it sees the soles of your feet in water. While it may miss the feet, the shark will slam its body against the boat and viciously bite off portions, tearing it apart. It is an angry shark.
b)Moram– A powerful shark, it bites anything that it finds. But they don’t have teeth! It looks as big as a jumbo!
c) Bived– A duplicate shark! It could resemble one, but it isn’t. It is scared of everything and can swim off in fright for its life if it gets hit once. It often meets with death.
d) Koorachurav– This is used in fairy tales by elders to evoke fear in children. It is said to first laugh at people and then jump and attack them! This shark has spots on its body and one should aim for these spots while harpooning. Otherwise, the shark will attack and jump back at the fisher. It has seven sets of teeth and is caught using a fishing technique called ovu chaadal. One shouldn’t attack it when the shark is staying upright, as it is a powerful position and the shark may not even get affected by the piercing of a bullet in this position. It needs to be caught while it’s on the move (as described by many although the truth is unknown).
© Mahaboob Khan
