Pehlwani

"Pehlwani" (Hindi: पहलवानी, Urdu: پہلوانی) or "Kushti" (Hindi: कुश्ती, Urdu: کشتی), which come from Persian "Pahlavani" (پہلوانی) and "Koshti" (کشتی), or modern "Indian wrestling", is a synthesis of an indigenous form of wrestling that dates back at least to the 5th century BC cite journal |first=Joseph S. |last=Alter |year=1992a |month=May |title=The "sannyasi" and the Indian Wrestler: The Anatomy of a Relationship |journal=American Ethnologist |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=317–336 |id=ISSN 00940496 |doi=10.1525/ae.1992.19.2.02a00070] and a Persian form of wrestling brought into the Indian Subcontinent by the Mughals.cite book |last=Alter |first=Joseph S. |title=The Wrestler's Body: Identity and Ideology in North India |year=1992b |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley]

A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a Pehlwan (also spelled "Pahlavân" in Persian, Champion, literally "a Parthian"). Generally speaking, Hindu teachers of wrestling are known as "Guru" and Muslim teachers "Ustad".

The Indian wrestling form has undergone several changes in both the nomenclature and training methodologies through the ages. The more prominent influences include the introduction of Persian nomenclature and western training methods.

Wrestling competitions, known as "Dangals", held at village levels, have their own rules which vary from place to place. Usually, a win is awarded by decision from the panel of judges, knockout, stoppage or submission.

The sport is popular in both India and Pakistan.

Regimen

Training

In Indian wrestling, vyayam, or physical training, is meant to build strength and develop muscle bulk and flexibility. Exercises that employ the wrestler's own bodyweight include the sun salutation, shirshasan, and the dand, which are also found in hatha yoga, as well as the bethak. "Sawari" (from Persian "Savâri", meaning "the passenger") is the practice of using another person's bodyweight to add resistance to such exercises.

Exercise regimens may also employ the following weight training devices:

*The "nal" is a hollow stone cylinder with a handle inside.
*The "gar nals" (literally "neck weights") is a circular stone ring worn around the neck to add resistance to dands and bethaks.
*The "gada" is a mace, as associated with Hanuman. An exercise gada is a heavy round stone attached to the end of a meter-long bamboo stick. "Pahalwani" trophies take the form of gadas made of silver and gold.

Exercise regimens may also include "dhakulis", which involve twisting rotations; rope climbing; log pulling; and running. Massage is regarded an integral part of a "pahalwan"'s exercise regimen.

Diet

According to the Samkhya school of philosophy, everything in the universe—including people, activities, and foods—can be sorted into three gunas: "sattva" (calm/good), "rajas" (passionate/active), and "tamas" (dull/lethargic).

As a vigorous activity, wrestling has an inherently rajasic nature, which "pahalwan" counteract through the consumption of sattvic foods. Milk and ghee are regarded as the most sattvic of foods and, along with almonds, comprise the holy trinity of the "pahalwani khurak" (from Persian خوراک پهلوانی, "khorâk-e Pahlavâni"), or diet. A common snack of "pahalwan"s is chickpeas that have been sprouted overnight in water and seasoned with salt, pepper, and lemon; the water in which the chickpeas were sprouted is also regarded as nutritious. Various articles in the Indian wrestling monthly "Bharatiya Kushti" have recommended the consumption of the following fruits: apples, wood-apples, bananas, figs, pomegranates, gooseberries, lemons, and watermelons. Orange juice and green vegetables are also recommended for their sattvic nature. Some "pahalwan"s eat meat in spite of its rajasic nature.

Ideally, wrestlers are supposed to avoid sour and excessively spiced foods such as chutneys and achars, as well as chaats. Mild seasoning with garlic, cumin, coriander, and turmeric is acceptable. The consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and paan is strongly discouraged.

History

There is a memorable wrestling contest between Bhima and Jarasandha narrated in the "Mahabharata", and there is a duel between Rustam and Sohrab mentioned in the Persian "Shahnameh" ("Book of Kings"). Balarama, the brother of Lord Krishna, was a wrestler described in these religious texts. In the "Ramayana", there is mention of the vanara King Vali, having won against the mighty Ravana, the king of Lanka, in a wrestling contest.

The medieval form of Indian professional wrestling was known as Malla-yuddha, described in the 13th century treatise "Malla Purana", was a precursor to modern Pehlwani.

In the 16th century, India was conquered by the Central Asian Mughals. Because the Mughal court officially patronized Persian culture, the Mughals brought the influence of Persian and Mongolian wrestling to the local Malla-yuddha. This was the beginning of modern Pehlwani.

India in the recent past had great wrestlers of the class of Great Gama and Gobar Goho. India reached its peak of glory in the IV Asian Games (later on called Jakarta Games) in 1962 when all the seven wrestlers were placed on the medal list and in between them they bagged 12 medals in Freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. A repetition of this performance was witnessed again when all the 8 wrestlers sent to the Commonwealth Games held at Kingston (Jamaica) had the distinction of getting medals for the country.

During the 60’s, India was ranked among the first eight or nine wrestling nations of the world and hosted the world wrestling championships in New Delhi in 1967.

The undefeated champions of India hold the title Rustam-i-Hind, from Persian "Rostam-e Hend" meaning "the Rostam of India", denoting the Persian hero of the Shahnameh, Rostam.

Cross training was inevitable even in this ancient discipline. Pehlwans who compete in wrestling nowadays are also known to cross train in the grappling aspects of Judo and Jujutsu.

Legendary wrestlers from the bygone era eg. Karl Gotch have made tours to India to learn the art of Pehlwani and further hone their skills. Karl Gotch was gifted a pair of "mudgals" (exercise equipment used by the Indian wrestlers) by the Indian wrestlers. The conditioning exercises of Pehlwani are incorporated into many of the conditioning aspects of both catch wrestling and shoot wrestling, along with their derivative systems. These systems also borrow several throws, submissions and takedowns from Pehlwani.

The popularity of this tradition seems to be withering away. The "milked sand wrestling pits" (20X20 deep stone courtyards, filled with clay and water or milk), which served as the traditional arena for both training and competitions are now giving way to wrestling mats and rings. The wrestlers are pursuing the sport as a hobby and not as a full time profession, and popular professional wrestling promotions have pushed Pehlwani to the brink of obscurity.

Famous Pehlwans

Olympic Freestyle Wrestlers

*Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav - 1952 Olympic bronze medalist, 1948 Olympics 6th place.
*Sushil Kumar - 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, 4th in World wrestling Championships 2003.

Asian Games Freestyle Wrestlers

*"Master Chandgiram" 1970 Asian games gold medalist is an Indian wrestler who is known for defeating champions from numerous other disciplines of martial arts. Currently runs Chandiram akhara in old delhi.
**"Satpal Singh" 1982 Asian games gold medalist,1972,'80 olympian currently Director general of sports Delhi.

Legendary Indian Wrestlers

*"Panne Lal Yadav"
*"Great Gama".
*"Karim Bux" - was the first wrestler to get into world headlines, when he defeated Tom Canon of England in 1892.
*"Kartar Singh twice Asian Champion
*"Palwinder Singh Cheema twice Asian Superheavyweight Bronze Medalist
*"Bisamber Singh Silver Medalist World wrestling Championships
*"Uday Chand Bronze Medalist World Wrestling championship
*"Sushil Kumar 4th in World wrestling Championships in 2003.Bronze Medal 2008 Olympics.
*"Ramesh Kumar
*"Sudesh Kumar
*"Leela Ram
*"Laxmikant Pandey
*"Prem Nath Bharat-Kesri: Best heavyweight wrestler of India in Hindustani. Recent winners include Rajeev Tomar (Railways) and Palwinder Singh Cheema (Punjab police).

*"Mama Moti Singh, trainer of Kikkar Singh and Kalloo whom he trained in the unique dog method of wrestling.
*"Kikkar Singh" - Dev-e-Hind, Known for his phenomenal chest and body.
*"Gulam" – accompanied the late Pandit Motilal Nehru to Paris in 1900 and defeated Cour-Derelli of Turkey.
*"Gobar Goho" - defeated the legendary hook wrestler Ad Santel in San Francisco in 1922 and became the world champion.
*"Rajeev tomar"- Holds the distinction of being awarded Bharat Kesari the maximum number of times.
*"Anuj Chaudhary"- Arjuna award winner Indian Wrestler.
*"Ramzi Pahlwan".
*"Kalloo".
*"Labhu Lohar".
*"Rahim Sultaniwala".
*"Imam Baksh Pehlwan" -The Indian wrestling legend, and the former Rustam-I-Hind as well as the winner of several strength contests in India.
*"Viddo" - (Sitara-I-Hind).
*"Bular".
*" Goonga Baliwala".
*"Mhani Reniwala".
*"Gutta Singh Khakhanwala".
*"Hamida Pehlwan" – former Rustam-I-Hind and the trainer of the Bholu Brothers.
* Ganda Singh Johal.
*"Haider Amritsaria".
*"Bholu" – He is the eldest son of Imam Baksh Pehlwan. And the eldest among the Pehlwan Brothers.
*"Ajit Singh"- Indian Wrestler.
*"Soookraj Bal" - Undisputed Phelwani champion of the world. He is also a bit of a retard.
*"Rahul Choksi" - Known as the 'Hound Dog' he is known for his sheer brute force, but he was no match for Bal.
*"Amal Pancholi" - Also known simply as 'TITAN' He can destroy any living soul purely by blocking the sunlight due to his enormous figure. He startles the crowd by wearing plain t-shirts and Al Borland Boxers. Pancholi and Bal have a formidable Tag Team partnership, defeating Choksi and his wife Bhervithaben Gengi.
*"Bholu Brothers"- Illustrious Pehlwan Brothers (Bholu , Aslam , Goga , Akram and Azam).
*"Akram Pehlwan- " the son of the wrestling legend Imam Baksh Pahalwan. He became famous for his mixed martial arts match against Antonio Inoki. He is also one of the Bholu Brothers.
*"Aslam Pahlwan" also trained by Mama Moti Singh.
*"Nasir Bholu"- Well-known wrestler from the Bholu family.
*"Jhara Pehlwan"- Real name Zubair , was the son of the famous Aslam Pehlwan.
*Banta Singh Waltoha (Bharat Kesari award winner).
*Santokh singh bahadurnagar (Bharat Kesari award winner).
*Mehardin (Bharat Kesari award winner).
*Malkit Singh Kanjli (Well-known wrestler from Kapurthala(Punjab), Four Time University Champion and two times Inter-varsity Champion,currently runs an akhara in Kapurthala(Punjab,INDIA).
*Salwinder Singh Shinda (Rustam-e-Hind) and Indian national wrestling champion. He is also a four time Chandigarh Kesari award winner. Now he was a president of district wrestling association Tarn-Taran.

= Pehlwani Associated with Professional Wrestling =

Professional Wrestlers (Professional wrestling is an orchestrated sport and has been created so that it is entertaining, hence the term, sports entertainment. Although some of it seems to have an element of realism, it is mostly choreographed, where the fate of the match has been pre-decided. Everything in WWE, TNA and other professional wrestling promotions has to do with more acrobatics and storyline angles than the non-choregraphed amateur wrestling.)
*"Sonjay Dutt": (TNA Wrestling) of Indian origin, a light heavyweight style wrestler.
*"The Great Khali (Dalip Singh)": (WWE) The Punjab State, Jalander, police bodybuilder and wrestler (Pehlwan) from Northern India standing at 7 feet 3 inches tall.
*"Tiger Jeet Singh": Real name, Jagit Singh Hans, is the world renowned Indian pro-wrestler.
*"Tiger Ali Singh": Real name, Gurjit Singh Hans is an Indian Pro-wrestler and son of Tiger Jeet Singh.
*"Dara Singh": Wrestler and actor, famous for traveling to the United States of America; knocking out the professional wrestlers in the US.
*"Gadowar Singh Sahota"
*"Tiger Dalbir Singh Shergill": British heavyweight champion 02/10/1986. Respected as one of the most talented Indian wrestlers of all time and only Asian to ever be crowned British champion.
*"Prince Mann Singh"

Pehlwani Titles

Indian Wrestling Titles

*"Rustam-i-Hind": (also spelled Rustam-e-Hind) Wrestling Champion of India in Hindustani. Imam Baksh Pahalwan and Hamida Pahalwan held the Rustam-I-Hind title in the past.And Dadu Chaugle from Maharashtra also held Rustam-i-Hind.
*"Rustam-e-Punjab" : (also spelled Rustam-I-Punjab) Wrestling Champion of Punjab in Hindustani. Pehalwan Salwinder Singh Shinda becomes six times Rustam-e-Punjab
*"Rustam-i-Zamana": World Wrestling Champion in Hindustani. For example, the Great Gama of India became known as Rustam-I-Zamana when he defeated Stanislaus Zbyszko in 1910.

*"Bharat-Kesri": Best heavyweight wrestler of India in Hindustani. Recent winners include Rajeev Tomar (Railways) and Palwinder Singh Cheema (Punjab police).

References

ee also

*Malla-yuddha
*Pehlivan
*Varzesh-e Pahlavani

External links

*http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft6n39p104&chunk.id=0&doc.view=print
* [http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Serial%20Number/0555/Color/Red%20Purple%20and%20Chestnut/WRESTLING Pahlwani in India]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3808647.stm Pakistan's pehlwans wrestle to survive]
* [http://www.pakistanimagebuildingforum.org/gamapehalwan.htm Pakistan Image Building: History of Kushti]
* [http://www.kappapublishing.com/wrestling/pages/hallofame.html Dara Singh In The Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/bios/gama2.html Great Gama]
* [http://www.uppercrustindia.com/13crust/thirteen/season7.htm Upper Crust: Badam-Doodh & Kolhapuri Kusti!]
* [http://www.chapatimystery.com/archives/homistan/art_of_pehlwani.html The Art of Pehlwani]