|
"Malkamb
as a game may not help you in getting a lot of
recognition, but it helps you in getting better
at other sports. The use of the sport is not limited
to wrestling, from which it traditionally started,
but it helps the sportsman in other disciplines
as well. The sport helps a person get better stamina,
strength, speed and  concentration,"
remarks Mr. Uday Deshpande, Secretary of the Malkamb
Federation of India.
The game could be as ancient as the Ramayana
and the Mahabarata, as Hanuman is considered its
main inspiration. The game's modern history can
be traced back to 200 years to the reign of Peshwa
Baji Rao II. At that time, the originator of this
game, Balambhat Dada Deodhar, used to be one of
the 52 wrestlers who were present in his court.
The then Nizam of Hyderabad sent two Wrestlers,
namely Ali and Ghulam, to wrestle with the Peshwa's
men. It is rumored that looking at the physique
and build of these men, none of the 52 wrestlers
were ready to accept the challenge excepting Balambhat
Dada Deodhar, who was hardly 17 or 18 years old.
 Sporting
legend has it that Balambhat Dada Deodar went
to Nasik to pray for strength at the Temple of
Goddess Saptashrungi. The Goddess was so pleased
with his devotion that she promised him that Hanuman
would appear in his dreams for the next three
days. Accordingly, the legend goes on that the
god came in his dreams for the next three nights
and gave him tips on how to fight. Balambhat Dada
Deodhar used these tips and practiced the tricks
on a plank.
Balambhat Dada Deodhar practiced the art of the
game. After he was reasonably comfortable, he
returned to Pune and challenged Ali to a bout.
In the bout, he defeated Ali in such a way that
Gulab ran away. Therefore Balambhat Dada Deodhar
has been named the father of the game. He named
the pole on which he practiced the game the Malkamb
or the Wrestler's Pole.
"Today's generation may not believe in this
story, but the temple where he prayed is full
of monkeys even today. So probably Balambhat Dada
Deodhar took stock of the situation and started
the idea of this game," chuckles Mr. Uday
Deshpande.
According to Mr. Uday Deshpande, "The salient
feature of the game is that one does not need
any large space to practice. The game does not
need any expensive equipment. Just a pole or a
rope hung to the ceiling is enough." He continues:
"The game has gained in stature in the last
13 years or so. Earlier, only 5 states were members
of the National Federation. Today, 23 states are,
and by the end of my tenure 2 years hence, I want
to spread it in all the states of the country."
By: Rahul Surkund
Photographs: Hari Krishna
...more
|
