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Deccan Herald
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Deccan Herald
India's indigenous sports: Reviving culture, bridging communities
India's diversity is often celebrated through its cuisine, languages, and traditions. But hidden in its villages, festivals, and folklore are treasures usually overlooked: India's indigenous sports, gems of culture that have evolved over centuries. They are not only physical pursuits but also powerful expressions of identity, community, and of these sports are so primal and instinctive that their origins are impossible to trace. Wrestling, archery, spear-throwing, stone-lifting, and boat racing evolved not just as recreation but as skills essential to survival for hunters, warriors, and farmers to games in India date back to ancient texts, the Indus Valley Civilisation, and the Mughal era. It later clashed with colonial imports like cricket, tennis, and football. Throughout history, dominant powers have used sport to train troops, maintain readiness, and subtly assert control, often engaging with local communities under the guise of friendly competition. The 2001 film Lagaan captured this power dynamic with dramatic the recently announced National Sports Policy 2025 acknowledges this lost legacy. Under the pillar of Sports for Social Development, the policy commits to 'revitalising and promoting indigenous and traditional games.' In a polarised world, reviving these sports can build community and preserve fading knowledge and kho-kho, two of the better-known traditional games, both require sharp reflexes, agility, and strategy. They are now internationally recognised and have their own professional leagues. Others, like Mallakhamb, a stunning blend of yoga and gymnastics performed on a vertical pole or rope, have featured in Khelo India events. .There are numerous weapon-based martial art forms. Kalaripayattu, popular in Kerala and dating back to the third century BCE, was practiced along with Atya-patya, a variation of tag, possibly originating as an agrarian skill to drive away predators from their fields. Gatka, a traditional Sikh martial art using sticks and swords, is not only physically demanding but also spiritually rooted and regularly showcased at festivals. Manipur's Thang-Ta (Huyen Langlon) involves swords, shields, and spears. Silambam, from Tamil Nadu, is an elegant bamboo staff art form with Dravidian roots. Mushti Yuddha, an unarmed combat sport from Varanasi, bears similarity to today's India, we can see local variants of martial arts, built on the foundations of self-defence, physical conditioning, grappling, striking, and weapon use. These practices are beautifully interwoven with yoga, ayurveda, dance, and spiritual philosophy, offering not only fitness and skill but also holistic mind-body physical forms include Malla-Yuddha, the oldest wrestling tradition, with a mention in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Khusti/Pehlwani continues to thrive in akharas (training centres). Vajra-Mushti, a brutal variant where a knuckle-duster-like weapon is used, dates back to the Mauryan Dynasty. Earlier versions of these combat sports resulted in fatal outcomes. Now, of course, modern adaptations comply with international safety protocols, including protective gear and weight classes. These wrestling traditions are still vibrant in states like Haryana and Maharashtra, where they have produced internationally renowned games like Chaturanga, a precursor of chess, originated in India during the Gupta Dynasty. Vaikunta Pali/Paramapada/Moksha Patnam (snakes and ladders) began as a morality-based game. Other games popular among the masses include Pachisi (Ludo), goli gundu (marbles), and Carrom. Interestingly, Pachisi, the ancient 'game of dice,' played a pivotal role in the high-stakes drama of the epic, Karnataka, even now, we can see Gilli Danda (Chinni Dandu), played with a peg (gilli) and stick (danda), a popular gully sport. Buguri (spinning top), lagoori (seven stones), and other traditional games continue to survive. Animal-based sports like Kambala (buffalo racing) are losing their appeal as awareness around animal welfare beauty of these games lies in their simplicity. Most don't require sophisticated equipment, just sticks, stones, open patches of land, or handmade tools. Large infrastructure is not required. They are accessible, inclusive, and inherently local festivals/melas often feature traditional sports alongside art, music, and culinary delights. These events help preserve fading techniques and foster intergenerational bonding. The Kodava Hockey Festival in Karnataka is one fine example, where families across Coorg reunite over hockey, celebration, and camaraderie. In Kerala, the Vallam Kali (boat racing) during Onam continues to stir deep community pride and promote social role of sport in nation-building, cultural diplomacy, and soft power must not be overlooked, especially as global audiences increasingly value authenticity and tradition. That said, India is an amalgamation of cultures, languages, and geographies, with sport a state subject. Each state must champion its heritage through sports tourism and grassroots promotion. Many indigenous sports are hyperlocal and understood only within their communities. For a sport to reach the masses, it needs to be 'media-friendly,' i.e., easy to follow and visually engaging on screen. Football, for instance, is simple: two teams, two goalposts, and one contrast, a martial art like Kalaripayattu might be fast-paced, complex to learn, and difficult to capture on screen. Yet, just as chess and kabaddi, once considered unmarketable, have been reimagined through savvy broadcasting and creative formats, there's no reason others can't follow. Where there is public interest, innovative market pathways can be paved. .However, we must resist the urge to evaluate these sports purely through a commercial lens. Their deeper value lies in empowerment, cultural continuity, and the joy of collective indigenous sports add vibrancy to our nation's rich tapestry; let's continue to honour the games that shaped us, even as we pursue global sporting ambitions. .(The writer is a sports analyst and head of the Policy School, Takshashila Institution)
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Surf, sand and sports
The inaugural edition of Khelo India Beach Games organised in May in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu was a show of mixed emotions. The elation of victories paralleled the disappointments of falling short. During the open water swimming event, which was held under adverse weather conditions, parents were worried and were waiting on the shore for their competing children to safely return from the sea. Their concerns were drowned in the cheers of local people, volunteers and supporters for the children. The games were held on the blue-flag certified Ghoghla Beach near Diu town. Over 1,300 athletes from 31 States and Union Territories competed in six events — beach soccer, sepak takraw, pencak silat, open water swimming, beach volleyball, and beach kabaddi. Ironically, landlocked Manipur came out as the champions by the sandy shores of Ghoghla. Apart from the competition events, the hosts also put the U.T.'s own sporting talent on display on the final day of the games, demonstrating agility with Mallakhamb — a traditional form of gymnastics; strength with tug-of-war; and grit with boxing. The five-day event gave mediapersons a lot to deal with as photographers often had to deal with unwanted clutter in the background while looking for the perfect frame. Others would have to rival the decibel levels of booming speakers to get across to athletes. The natural lighting of dawns and dusks made covering the games early in the morning or late in the evening incredibly interesting, especially the events of beach kabaddi and sepak takraw, in which players were sort of flying over the sand to score points under the rising/setting sun spinning its own web. The Games had its moments despite challenges, and the beach sports community will hope that the competition augurs well for its future. Show of strength: Athletes in action during the beach kabaddi game. The spirit of the athletes at the Khelo India Beach Games was both fierce and joyous. Aiming for the net: Beach soccer teams from Kerala and Maharashtra fight it out. Sparkling start: A decorated boat during the opening ceremony of the Khelo India Beach Games on the Ghoghla Beach on the Diu Island on May 19. Grabbing eyeballs: A player from Maharashtra sends the ball back in a beach volleyball game. Swift strokes: Athletes participate in the 10-km open water swimming competition. Until one wins: Two women slug it out at the Pencak Silak competition. Champion of the water: Renukacharya Hodmani, representing Karnataka, secured the top spot in the men's category in the 10-km open water swimming contest. Fine balance: Athletes perform Mallakhamb at the opening ceremony. With all their might: The Kerala men's tug of war team in action during the final match. Radiant ending: Artists turn the closing ceremony of the Games to a celebration of the Union Territory as the competitive rivalry comes to an end.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HIPSA gears up to broaden Pravasi Sports after GI-PKL success
Riding on the momentum of blockbuster debut of Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League (GI-PKL), the Holistic International Pravasi Sports Association (HIPSA) is gearing up to broaden its 'Pravasi Sports' initiative--a pioneering programme that brings India's indigenous games to the global diaspora, according to a release from GI-PKL. Pravasi Sports is driven by a twin vision that seeks to both globalize and reconnect. First, it aims to introduce and promote India's rich array of indigenous sports--ranging from Kabaddi to Mallakhamb and Silambattam--amongst Pravasi communities around the World. Second, it works to bring Pravasi youth back in touch with their cultural heritage by inviting them to compete, learn, and collaborate in India-based events, forging stronger ties between the diaspora and their homeland through sports. Speaking about the vision, HIPSA president Kanthi D Suresh said, "Pravasi Sports is about honouring our roots while celebrating global talent. We're creating pathways for young Indians abroad to proudly compete in the games that define our culture, and to bring their experiences back home, while we also ensure that our home grown sports are adopted by millenials around the World across different continents." Karthik Dammu, GI-PKL CEO, added, "After witnessing the overwhelming response to GI-PKL, we're excited to extend our model across multiple disciplines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Pravasi Sports will unite our diaspora and bolster India's standing on the world stage." HIPSA is slated to roll out the year-round roster of Pravasi Sports events that extends well beyond Kabaddi. This calendar will feature the Global Pravasi Cricket League (GPCL)--a T20 franchise competition showcasing overseas Indian talent--alongside GI-PKL Season 2. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Boxing demonstrates its punches at Khelo India Beach Games in hope of promoting sport in Union Territory
At the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) in Diu on Ghoghla beach, Tug of War and Mallakhamb were the two demonstration sports originally announced. But on Friday evening, where the poles and ropes of Mallakhamb were kept, now stood a boxing ring. Inside it was 37-year-old Suman Vijay Pahal absorbing punches from a junior almost half her age. In 2009, Suman was among a few Indian boxers who had gone to Sweden for an invitational tournament. One of the others was Mary Kom, Suman's senior. About 16 years later, Suman now stays in Daman – dividing her time between taking care of her kids and promoting the sport in the Union Territory. 'The main purpose behind doing this demonstration event is to encourage children to take up the sport and even include it in the Beach Games. In foreign countries, people gather in huge numbers and watch matches like a fight. They enjoy, have food, and see who can land the hardest punch. Here, not everyone can go indoors, or not all places will have indoor settings,' Suman told Sportstar about boxing's last-minute inclusion as a demonstration sport at the KIBG, where boxers from the Union Territory showed their punches. ALSO READ | Pro Kabaddi League players grapple with sand, hope for selection in PKL 2025 auction Initially, the push was to have the sport as a medal event at the tournament. But according to Vijay Pahal – the Competition Manager and Suman's husband – the Sports Authority of India (SAI) didn't allow it as they defined boxing as an indoor sport. In last year's Beach Games, which wasn't under Khelo India, boxing was a medal event. 'Boxing wasn't in the original schedule of the tournament. But seeing that the sport is one of the better performing ones from the Union Territory, this was done to showcase the talent our boxers possess. It is to show the level boxing has achieved here,' Vijay, who essentially introduced the sport to Daman in 2010 and now is a coach to most of the pugilists on display, explained. To bring back the craze with financial support According to sisters Muskan and Priyanka Banerje, who are 18 and 16 years old respectively, the sport in the Union Territory is doing just fine. The two, who wish to continue donning their gloves in hopes of playing it professionally, maintained that whoever is determined in boxing will do well. However 15-year-old Advaya Ramkushal Shukla, who began boxing after being inspired by Canelo Alvarez, felt there's a need to resurrect the excitement that was once there around the sport in the UT. 'Boxing is good in Daman but the craze is less. Facilities are there but they can be better. Better training will help take the sport forward. There was a lot of josh in pre-Covid times because the sport was new and everyone was excited. It has fizzled out now because the training isn't as frequent. Even the state of our rings isn't that great. Only a coach can make an athlete so training more often is very important,' the teenager said. READ MORE | How fearless athletes and tense parents swim through salty challenges of Open Water Swimming 'This [demonstration] will help because the craze will increase, people will watch it on the news. Boxing here will get a push,' he added. Suman, who works for the Western Railways, said how her perspective changed after shifting to this side of the country, which has helped her continue boxing without a second thought. 'As soon as I came from Haryana to this side of the country – the West – my mind completely opened up. There's no harassment, no one cares when you're going out, no fighting. This has strengthened my mind. My age isn't defining me. I don't feel that I'm coming up against younger boxers,' she, who even takes part in 10k marathons, said. Like many sports in India, boxing too faces the lack of support from the stakeholders and governments. 'The craze has increased a bit. There are a lot of athletes who come from financially poor households. If they can get scholarships, like States like Haryana provide, then it can help them. It'll motivate them. After a point, they feel like giving up because of lack of support,' Suman added. The Union Territory has shown glimpses of being able to punch above its weight at the Khelo India Youth Games level, having won a few medals in previous editions, but the region needs a lot more than just gloves to harvest pugilism's potential. Related Topics Khelo India Beach Games
Hans India
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
From Akhadas to the Diu beach, how mallakhamb has come a long way
Diu: The Mallakhamb organisers are excited at the prospect of seeing the indigenous sport unfold at the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games 2025 (KIBG). It's a setting that's alien to them, if truth be told. Mallakhamb is normally associated with the Akhadas and is especially practised in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra but presently it's being staged at the Ghoghla beach in Diu. And that gives the organisers plenty of hope. KS Shrivastava, founding member of the Mallakhamb Federation of India in 1980, is proud of how far the sport has come and it's something he had never envisaged. 'In my wildest imagination, I had never imagined that mallakhamb will be staged on a beach. It's basically an Akhada sport. It's a moment of great pride. I consider it a personal achievement since all my life I have tried to promote mallakhamb,' said the 1980 Vikram Award winner. The award is given to the athletes from Madhya Pradesh for their sporting excellence. Yogesh Malviya, the country's first Dronacharya awardee in mallakhamb, is also high on hopes. 'This is the way going forward for mallakhamb. If we want to popularise the sport, we need to take it to more and more people, we need to find newer ways, and hosting it on a beach, not a traditional setting, is one of them. We are heading in the right direction,' he said. Shubham Balasaheb Ahir, who comes from Nasik but is now teaching mallakhamb in Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu, is one of the important persons overseeing the arrangements at the KIBG. He believes mallakhamb, a combination of yoga, gymnastics and wrestling, has the potential to grow in the union territory too. 'Initially, I didn't get a great response but slowly things are changing. I teach tribal kids. They live in areas where you can't make any phone calls because there is no connectivity. But these kids are strong physically and that's one of the reasons why they have taken to the sport,' he enthuses. At the KIBG, mallakhamb was included as a demonstration sport with boys and girls to perform across Team and Pyramid Championships but the organisers have now decided to make the event competitive. Malviya elaborates, "Initially, we had a different plan but to make it more exciting we have now made it competitive but there will be no medals at stake." There are five indigenous sports that the Government of India, at the behest of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is looking to popularise in the country. These are mallakhamb, yogasana, thang-ta, gatka and kalarippayattu. In an additional boost to mallakhamb, it's the only native sport that's on display at KIBG 2025. Malviya says, "It's a big thing for us. Some of the kids had not even seen a sea before. I remember one little kid said yesterday, arre itna saara paani (oh my God, so much water). He was amazed. I really hope mallakhamb keeps on creating new milestones."
