With the upcoming season of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League fast approaching, daily soaps are already feeling the stress of losing viewership for the duration of the “panga” season. Ever since the league was founded in 2014, the popularity of the age old sport of kabaddi has hit new highs, with viewers wanting to invest their time on real “panga” rather than sticking to the mechanical choice between news or a reality show as their standard 8:00 PM ritual.
With the “reintroduction” of the sport, Indian families have been seen enjoying and watching a sport together, other than cricket after a long time. Here are a few reasons why the sport has found a place in Indian hearts and television sets:
#1. Indians love a “Panga”
Living amongst a population of 1.3 billion people, Indians do not have things easy in life. Kabaddi also sums up the everyday life of a middle-class Indian: grappling for a hold, fighting to prevail, and struggling to touch the dream line before the breath gives up.
Every Indian operates with a deep rooted competitiveness in him and that is exactly why the game of kabaddi clicks with him. One would think that the rusticity from a fiery encounter among two for survival in a game would appeal to an Indian much more than a gentlemanly battle for victory.
Besides, the sport of kabaddi is deeply rooted in the Indian culture and hence each “thigh five” and every “super tackle” gets our adrenaline rushing. After years of watching the gentleman’s game, the sport of Kabaddi comes as a refreshing change, showcasing a beautiful balance between aggression and dignity.
#2. Celebrity endorsements
No promotional campaign in India is complete without celebrity endorsements. We are a nation of fans and we love our celebrities more than any other nation. The Pro Kabaddi league has been blessed with great support from Bollywood superstars like Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Aamir Khan, and most importantly Amitabh Bachchan.
There are many who would tune in just to hear the national anthem in Amitabh Bachchan's voice. The image of Abhishek Bachchan, overcome with emotions with each raid and every tackle of Jaipur Pink Panthers, thumping his chest and slapping his thigh is a sight that every Indian in this fan crazy nation would give anything to see.
With celebrities of such stature endorsing the game, kabaddi was bound to reach a wide section of the television audience.
#3. Incredible matches
Every season of the Pro Kabaddi League has had numerous nail-biting encounters, with fortunes taking a swing every few seconds. Each raid and every tackle in the sport has had potential game changing consequences which keep the audience engaged throughout the match.
The fast nature of the sport, its high-intensity drama and its short format has meant that it requires no more than 50 minutes to watch the whole match. The prospect of “super tackles”, “super raids” and countless other laudable moves by the players have worked well enough to keep the viewer glued to his seat.
#4. Tough players
The Pro Kabaddi League is not a place for kids with cute haircuts and a pretty jawline, rather it boasts players sporting their chiseled bodies and tough personalities. A kabaddi player, just like a boxer or wrestler, is capable of great feats.
Moreover, there is no dearth of showmanship in the sport. The audacious raids of Jasveer Singh, the charismatic poster boy Rahul Chaudhary and the aggressive Ravinder Pahal from have personalities that have never been seen before in Indian sportsmen.
Also, most kabaddi players have thighs waiting to burst out, arms which resemble cannons and intimidating physiques. In a country which is always ready for a brawl, the personalities of the Kabaddi players strike a chord with each viewer.
#5. Nostalgia
Most things that are nostalgic are strangely appealing, more so in a country like India where people value and cherish memories over anything else. Most of us born in the 90’s have played a game or two of kabaddi with friends and even have a few bruises till date, as a testimony to it.
In an ever changing and dynamic world, anything that brings us back to our roots is greeted warmly and that is what the revived version of Kabaddi has thrived on. The game has effectively taken us back to our childhood, and that is also why the sport of Kabaddi has taken the nation in its grip.
