The contact sport of kabaddi has been one of the most popular indigenous games played in India since its origin. It is often called the 'game of the masses’ because of its tremendous public appeal and delightful simplicity.
Also read: Kabaddi: Rules and it’s different formats
The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi has been instrumental in bringing this sport back to the masses through its slick, enjoyable format. Now in its third season, the league has captured the imagination of fans in the country and has firmly established itself as one of the best conducted sports tournaments in India.
With the sport being celebrated globally, this is an ideal time to have a look at some of the sport’s lesser-known facts. Here are 10 interesting things you may not know about kabaddi:
1. The official game of more than one Indian state
Although there is no consensus on the origin of the word ‘kabaddi’, many believe it has come from the Tamil word ‘kai-pidi’, which literally means to hold hands. In India, the sport traces its roots to the state of Tamil Nadu, where it has now been declared the state game. Other Indian states which have named kabaddi as their state sport are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Punjab.
2. The Mahabharata refers to kabaddi too!
The origins of kabaddi can be traced back to around 4,000 years ago in ancient India, if one is to believe historians. The game has been mentioned in many mythological epics, the most significant of which is its reference in the Mahabharata during Abhimanyu’s battle with the Kauravas. Buddhist literature also reveals that Lord Gautama Buddha also played this sport, often for recreation.
3. The sport of many names
Kabaddi is known by different names in different parts of India. In southern India it is called Chedugudu, while in some parts of the North it is referred to as Kaunbada. In the East, the sport has been christened Ha-Do-Do while in the Western part of the country, it is called Hu-Tu-Tu.
The sport has a massive importance in India's neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal too; it has even got the status of Bangladesh's national sport. Today, the sport is played in many nations such as Maldives, Spain, Argentina, Italy, Belgium, Denmark and the USA, among others.
4. Kabaddi at the Olympics
India was responsible for presenting this wonderful contact sport before the world at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal of Amravati, Maharashtra demonstrated the sport expertly at the Games, which was kabaddi's first international exposure. Just two years later, kabaddi was introduced at the Indian National Games in Calcutta.
Subsequently in 1950, the All India Kabaddi Federation came into existence which helped to organize the Senior National Championship from 1952. The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) was formed in 1972 and that introduced national competitions at the junior level too.
5. Two formats, one perfect co-existence
There are two main formats of kabaddi – the 'International Rules Kabaddi' and the 'Circle-style Kabaddi'. Despite the essence of the sport remaining the same in both, the rules vary in the two formats.
For International Rules kabaddi a rectangular court of 13×10 metres is required, while Circle-style kabaddi is played on a circular pitch that has a radius of 11 metres. Both these styles have their separate World Cups.
The three styles that were prevalent in India over the ages were Amar, Sanjeevani and Gaminee. Modern day kabaddi is a synthesis of all these styles with a few modifications in rules and regulations.
6. Kabaddi has featured prominently in Indian cinema
Kabaddi has ingrained itself into the popular Indian culture and has found a place in numerous films over the years. As early as 1962, the Tamil movie Kudumba Thalaivan depicted the sport to great dramatic effect. Over the years, the Tamil film industry has included it in many of its films such as Ghilli in 2004 and Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu in 2009.
The Telugu and the Kannada industries, too, have had their share of kabaddi-based films like Okkadu in 2003 and Ajay in 2006 respectively. Bollywood also joined the bandwagon with the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pardes in 1997, Hu Tu Tu in 1999, Yuva in 2004, Badlapur Boys in 2014 and Tevar, as recently as 2015.
7. India's dominance of kabaddi
India has been indomitable at all the notable international kabaddi tournaments. The Indian men’s team has grabbed all the titles in the Asian Games and the World Cup till now.
With seven World Cup titles and as many Asian Games gold medals, the Indian men's national team is at the pinnacle of the sport.
8. The women aren't far behind!
The first exclusive women’s kabaddi event in India was held in erstwhile Calcutta in 1995. However, it took 15 more years before the women's event was introduced at the Asian Games.
The Indian women matched their male counterparts in remaining unbeaten at the Asian Games, collecting the gold at Guangzhou in 2010 and at Incheon in 2014. They have also stamped their authority at the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, winning all the three global meets held since 2012.
9. Star Sports Pro Kabaddi registered record viewership in its inaugural season
The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi has contributed significantly to the sport’s current sky-high popularity. The first season of this league got instant fame and stardom and was only surpassed by the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of viewership in 2014. As many as 435 million people tuned in to watch this beloved indigenous sport in its all-new glitzy format.
10. Star Sports Pro Kabaddi brings the whole kabaddi world to India
The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi has not only given a lucrative opportunity to the homegrown players to shine, but it has also brought in exceptionally talented international exponents of this sport to India. The league has 26 foreigners from 13 countries participating in its third edition. Players from Pakistan, Kenya, Iran, Poland and South Korea have given this tournament a true international flavour.
Needless to say, the league has re-invented and rejuvenated the sport of kabaddi!
