While keeping thousands on track, day after another, the dogged metro service has been the significant step forward and lifeline – to keep business buoyant and literally up on its feet in national capital New Delhi, it luckily paved us a way to have a look at the traditional sport: Off from the giant screen and away from the glamour and limelight of the mainstream sport in a vast open field.
The Pehlwani has been a treasure trove of memories for many akin gentleman’s game for legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar itself, after Hisar-born Chandigi Ram clinched the gold medal when he had a thumping win over Japan’s Shizuo Yada, in the Asian Games held at Bangkok in Thailand under 100 kg men’s senior category in 1970.
From lanes to bylanes of busiest Meena Bazar past the hawkers and then a beeline, we witnessed a defunct iron pole that led us to enter one of the congealed maidans which wore a festive look on the very hot and humid day of early September, as the young boys were grappling amid huge applause before senior wrestlers enthralled the decent crowd.
However, the latest sensation has been Sushil Kumar who won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the 74 kg category at Glasgow in Scotland.
On the other side following the incredible journey of women in wrestling, Geeta Phogat from Bhiwani in Haryana, became the first-ever female wrestler – to win the gold medal in 2010 Commonwealth Games which was held in New Delhi when she rejoiced following a victory over her Australian counterpart Emily Bensted.
Honing the skills, it was her sister and a freestyle wrestler Babita Phogat, who basked a glory when she won the gold at Glasgow, in the Commonwealth Games for 2014.
Rock and Solid in Defense:
Pehlwani is country’s very own version of Dangal which in general stands for the wrestling competition – to earn the accolade, as another form of hard-fought combat sport which includes the techniques like fierce takedown followed by throws while getting hold of each other.
The centuries-old quintessential sport particularly in South Asia has also its home-base in India’s vibrant capital New Delhi, as its history dates back to the fifth century B.C which further allow us to reflect over the rich nostalgia of the colourful chapter of the sporting spirit owing to the mud-pit which has had hosted top-notch traditional wrestlers in the recent past.
The freestyle wrestling further has been the new adventure for the youngsters, who have opted to fight in the oldest part of Delhi at its one of the oldest Akharas which is known as ‘Itehadi Dangal’ – the wrestling school which has witnessed several star players fighting out in their prime.
“The promising prospects are coming to this place while learning the niceties of the traditional form of a sport which is indeed a good sign to keep it alive,” remarked Fateh Mohammad an eyewitness of the game since 1970.
Thoroughly, the institution for the aspiring wrestlers and the famed Akhara has produced outstanding veterans in one of the oldest parts of Delhi, in the vicinity of iconic Jamia Masjid.
Relatively, quite old open-air wrestling school has witnessed the oldest players witnessing the current crop of the athletes training under their keen observation and unwavering faith – to make it big in the national fold in the foreseeable future.
“Most of the wrestlers are from the low-earning families. The government has shown a little faith in it. However, the wrestling institution has been recognized by the government,” Fateh asserted.
Following the twist and turns, the perspiring wrestlers even attempted — to sit on their respective opponent’s chest while trying to knock each other down following the paces, in a muddy portion of the playfield.
Interestingly, the tournament is more of a fun and viable process which subsequently see senior citizens collecting the amount while nominating the two wrestlers for the much-anticipated fight, who are further willing to toss it up on its own, in a bid to seize the opportunity while showcasing their talent.
Similarly, such institutions have had genuinely become the major attraction while producing the champions like Yogeshwar Dutt and Sushil Kumar, as Delhi itself is a home to over 200 wrestling schools which has patronized the sport in many ways.
“After the culmination of training, the wrestlers from the same wrestling school have participated in the foreign competitions to prove their mettle,” Fateh concluded.
Moreover, the matter-of-fact is that youngsters are eyeing to achieve big while carrying the national hopes on their lean shoulders.
Down but not out, we have had witnessed wrestlers writhing in pain after opponent while banking on his strength exerted pressure to make most out of his opportunity.
Moreover, the matter-of-fact is that youngsters are eyeing to achieve big while carrying the national hopes on their lean shoulders.
So much so, the 11-year-old wrestling prodigy Kaif is undergoing rigorous training since 2016 and owing to his sharp reflexes he has knitted a dream to become an instant hit at the map-bound wrestling, as his day starts off with a sprint followed by multiple exercises.
“I want to bring fame to the Itehad-i-Dangal which has shaped me up like any other indomitable wrestler,” Kaif maintained.
An agile athlete Kaif has further vowed to make his nation proud by bringing laurels to it while yearning to bring desired results in a professional mat-wrestling shortly.
“I am raring to go and eventually win the coveted medal for my proud country India and secondly for my Ustaad (teacher), who has been a helping hand throughout the thick and thin,” Kaif asserted.
Defying all odds, the 48-year-old Rehman Pehlwan had been the student of Chandgi Ram, who won the Padma Shri Award in 1971 which is subsequently the fourth highest as a civilian award after he was conferred with Arjuna Award in 1969, for his unwavering faith and remarkable achievements in freestyle wrestling and traditional wrestling respectively.
Rehman revealed the locals are organising the competition – to throw their unconditional support behind the young wrestlers.
“I have had participated in wrestling fixtures across India. I lost and then won and was subsequently knocked down to get up another day. This is how it spent my life while fighting in mud-pits,” Rehman reflected.
Following the religiously followed cricket to the traditional wrestling, India’s pastimes outline the watershed moment of sports from the backyard to a sports arena which pushes athletes for an adrenaline rush.
With inputs from Nasir Kachroo, who is a Delhi-based photojournalist. He Tweets @nasirkachroo.