In a recent conversation with one of my Jewish friend, he said that we Indians don’t have much quality websites on games played in India let alone fields and other facilities. To this I promptly replied “how can you say that? Surf around we have so many quality sites on cricket” and with this i started naming sites instantly. To this he halted me saying that he is not talking about cricket or even hockey, he is alluding to typical but traditional sports of India like Kushti(Wrestling), Gilli Danda, Kho kho etc. He said he can easily find many Indians who always remain updated with WWE player profiles and ranking but no one who could tell who currently holds top spot in Kushti , which team is current champion of Kho-kho etc.To this I felt he is absolutely right. In India when you think of Indian sport, cricket is the only game that instantly comes to mind. But our country has a history of producing many other sports that are played in different parts but not known to all, as it is very much restricted to a particular state or region. In fact much to everyone’s surprise there exists a fascinating link between India and Greece. Even the time as early as about 1000 BC the passion of Chariot-racing and wrestling was common to both the countries. Most of the religions in both countries since times immemorial have supported the attainment of physical exercise, stamina through the practice of games and sports in various forms. Influence of these sports till date retains their influence in some altered and but mainly sophisticated version. For example sports like Chess, wrestling, polo, sword fighting ,archery and hockey (possibly a fall-out from polo) are some of the games believed to have originated in India.In this article of SportsKeeda, I would try to make an attempt to explore various such games that have been part of our culture since ages. With this I would like to throw some light on sports like kabbadi, silambam, Thoda , Gilli danda, kho-kho, Mallakhamb, Boat & Camel races.
Kabbadi : There are some games, which are played in India and were born in India. One of such games is the game of Kabbadi. This game is actually a team sport, which has originated from South Asia. This is a game, which is very popular throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia. This game is also the national game of Bangladesh. This game is also a favorite in some of the states of India. It is a game that requires strength, stamina, agility and most importantly the hand eye coordination. This is a simple game in which a person who is known as the “raider” goes to one side where 4 teammates will be holding hands in a semi-circle. The raider who goes inside has to touch any one of the teammates and immediately run back to his line. However one has to keep in mind that he will have to keep repeating the word “Kabbadi” until he reaches the line while holding his breathe. On the other side the teammates have to grab the raider down before he reaches his line. Kabaddi has a log history dating back to pre-historic times.It is 4,000-year-old game and it is a team sport, which requires both skill and power and combines the characteristics of wrestling and rugby.The game was introduced in the Indian Olympic Games at Calcutta, in the year 1938. It was in 1950, that the All India Kabaddi Federation came into existence. The game has gained popularity over the years in other parts of Asia as well. It is played in many parts of the Indian sub-continent as well as China and Japan.
Thoda : This is a martial art form of sports played mostly in status engulfing mighty ranges of Himalayas like Himachal Pradesh. The sport demands excellent expertise in archery. And so expectantly, the main weapons needed for Thoda are bows and arrows.The whole concept of this traditional sport is to create a highly energetic atmosphere with non-stop leg kicking on one-hand and constant attempts to hit the target on the other. Lightning movements and agility are the sole methods of defense.
Silabam : The state of Tamil Nadu is considered to be the cradle of modern and scientific staff fencing, popularly known in Tamil as Silambam. The Pandya kings ruling in Tamil Nadu promoted Silambam fencing, as did their Chola and Chera counterparts. Silapathiharam Tamil literature, dating back to 2nd century A.D., refers to the sale of silamabam staves, swords, pearls and armor to foreign traders. Though fighting with sticks is universal, it has reached there a summit in technical intricacy, complexity and efficiency.
Gilli Danda : It is a typical Indian street game though poplularity this game like other traditional game too is reducing. If you try to play Cricket or Baseball with sticks instead of bats or balls, is exactly the structure of Gilli Danda.Gilli Danda is played with two wooden sticks – a gilli and a danda. The gilli is about three inches long and tapered at the ends. This danda, about 2 feet long, is used to strike the gilli. The gilli is placed across a small oval-shaped hole in the center of a small circle about four feet in diameter, is drawn on the ground.
Kho-kho : It holds a humongous popularity status. In some parts of India it is even played on a professional level. Kho kho is very popular with children and is often part of the games class in schools. It is said to be originated at Pune Gymkana in the state of Maharashtra. Its team in India is called Kho- Kho Federation of India (K.K.F.I). Kho- Kho is a game played in 2 innings by 12 nominated players out of 15, on each side. Initially 9 players start the game and 3 are kept reserve. One team becomes the chasers and the other the defenders or runners. In the game, the chaser pursues the runners; tags and touches them and makes them out. Each team has to chase and defend for 9 minutes twice in a match.
Mallakhamb : Mallakhamb is gymnastic sport in which a gymnast performs poses and feats while hanging from a vertical wooden pole or rope. Mallakhamb also refers to the pole used in the sport. The word Mallakhamb is composed of Malla, which denotes a gymnast or a man of strength, and khamb, which is a pole. Mallakhamb, therefore, can be translated in English as pole gymnastics. Of the states in India, 29 participate in Mallakhamb competitions at the national level. Mallakhamb can be used as a form of exercise or as strength training for police or other jobs requiring a high level of fitness.
Boat & Camel races: Boat races are One of the major attraction of the God’s Own Country’.It is a sport that signifies the excellent team spirit and the unity and among the people of Kerala. Snake boat race are held in connection with the harvest festival, Onam, in the month of August or September. Now Camel racing is the deep rooted traditional sports in Rajasthan. Camels are referred to as the ‘Ship of the Desert’. In this camels are decorated beautifully. The enchanting desert city comes to life with joyous music, lilting rhythms and gay festivities. Camel performances, camel tug war, camel acrobatics, camel dances and camel miking competition are a part of event. Though craze and money involved in these races are in no comparison with Formula 1 races but still colorful and an opportunity to experience unique thrill draws the large number of National and International tourists.
These are some of the games which have been a part of Indian history and culture and still hold much relevance today though almost all of them are losing their appeal, popularity and participants with each passing year. Some of traditional Indian sports are in fact verge of extinction. Bit I still believe Indian sports and sporting potential is far greater than what is being displayed at the moment. So why not let us go ahead and give these a try today, you never know you may end up liking them more than anything!
