The Cheeta Fight brand of safety matches features a striking image of a man wielding a sickle, engaged in a fierce battle with a cheetah. This iconic logo, introduced by Wimco Limited, carries an inspiring tale from the 1930s.
According to legend, Chinna Reddy, a farmer from Rangavaram village in Tiruvallur district, was known for his vigilant night watches over his banana farm. One night, accompanied by his loyal dog, Reddy encountered a cheetah on his fields. Determined to protect himself, he confronted the predator with a sickle. The ensuing struggle between man and beast became a local legend, symbolizing Reddy’s bravery and determination.
Moved by this tale of valor, Wimco Limited adopted the ‘Cheeta Fight’ emblem for their safety matches. The image of Reddy, sickle in hand, battling the cheetah, embodies strength, protection, and the indomitable spirit of those who stand their ground against all odds.
The story also inspired Tamil journalist-turned-writer Thamizhmakan to pen his novel Vettuppuli. Literally meaning “cut the tiger” or the “tiger which received a cut” in English, the book provides an insight into the lives of people in Northern Tamil Nadu from the 1930s to the 2000s. It explores how ideologies shape and sometimes destroy individuals, and the lengths people could go to defend their beliefs, using Chinna Reddy’s legend as its central theme.
Image Credit: https://freshlist.in/cheeta-fight-matches
