Ultimate Daredevilry at Rural Olympics - Kila Raipur Sports Festival, Punjab

The Kila Raipur Sports Festival (aka Rural Olympics) is held every year in Kila Raipur near Ludhiana. If Chuck Norris and Rajanikanth were to sit down, down a couple galleons of testosterone and design some sports events, the Rural Olympics is probably what they would come up with. We Indians as a nation have been overrun culturally by the West. It’s not just India, the entire world is vastly more aware of the culture in the USA than the people in USA themselves, thanks to the blast of entertainment based society we live in, which is fuelled by America at the center. India has had DD Channel for ages, then with the NEP of 1991 doors were opened wider for foreign channels to come in India and spread their culture, and it’s largely been US culture. Sadly, that leads to our own rich heritage being overlooked or telecast on channels which can’t afford to package them properly. And awesome things like the rural olympics at Kila Raipur are not known to the entire nation.

A few centuries ago, Guru Hargobindji started the tradition of wrestling bouts to develop the bodies and minds of his followers. These activities weren’t just recreational sports, they were a matter of pride and joy. Wrestlers were and are still held in high regard in Punjab. Such bouts take place during festivals and fairs, on playgrounds, etc. A culture of physical fitness was deeply ingrained years ago in Punjab. The Rural Olympics were first started in 1933 by Inder Singh Grewal for designing an event in which farmers could participate in and uphold their culture. But it wasn’t until sixty years ago when Grewal Sports Association starting holding rural sports competitions that the deep seeds were sown for what is the Rural Olympics today. Prior to independence, Kabaddi was the major sport which was played across the villages. Presumably because the sight of the following would make the British ruler’s blood run cold.

A sight like that is sure to make one’s blood run cold if you are standing in their way. And leave you wondering how lucky you would be to escape by the skin of your teeth.

They do have strong teeth. You never know when you may need to pull a four wheeler.

Or carry around a couple of two wheelers.

Or plough a field.

If they carry around vehicles with their teeth, what do they ride?

Oh, that.

We look at the X-Factor with awe. We drop our jaws at ‘Now See This’. But we are largely unaware of the rural olympics. Unlike X-Factor which was designed for TRPs, the rural olympics here were borne out of a necessity. The need to develop and maintain fitness. So that the fields can be toiled. So that the people are ready in the event of a hostile attack to protect themselves against men or beast. That explains why most events in the rural olympics are based on some utility centered activity. Around things like running, jumping, lifting, and other activities of measuring strength and fitness. It’s not just humans who are put to test. There are also races between bullocks, camels, dogs, donkeys, etc.

Sometimes the two are combined.

Fabulous

He almost looks bored with the proceedings. Just another day.

During these Olympics, or other such competitions, the villages extend all hospitality to the competitors and they benefit from the prosperity which the games bring to the village. The participant demographic ranges from teens to octogenarians.

From able bodied, to the differently abled.

Some people choose the term handicapped or disabled, differently abled is a better word.

From people in India to those from USA, Canada and England, every year over 4000 participants come to compete in the Rural Olympics, in addition to the millions of spectators. They don’t all ride atop hellfire breathing horse to the venues. Some choose to cycle.

While adding fire for fun.

Some may say that the above rider has the flames under control while riding so it isn’t too bada**.

That ought to do the trick. Where’s Jacques Rogge? Someone get him to replace the high jump in Olympics with this one. High jump through a flaming hoop while somersaulting. TRPs would go through the roof. This almost sounds lukewarm now, but hockey, volleyball and athletics are also practised at the rural games.

Shows like Big Boss would do well to make way for something like this. Someone please do something about it. As Indians, it’s our responsibility to preserve our rich heritage and to ensure that every Indian knows about this festival which happens in February every year.