Pehlwani

From OTMWiki

Jump to: navigation, search

maya civilization for kids fucking in car ellen barkin alcoholism video palais de la chaussure adult club in las vegas peter north movie downloads inspiration articles link jacobus recourt makelaars

Image:Pehlwani.jpg
The Ancient Indian Art of Wrestling

Pehlwani (also spelled as pahlwani and also known as kushti) is the form of wrestling native to India. This form of wrestling is based on the ancient Indian martial art of Malla-yuddha (also spelled as Mallayuddha), the mythological figures who practiced this art, like lord Hanuman, are worshipped for strength and invulnerability.

The Indian wrestling form has undergone several changes in both the nomanclature and training methodologies through the ages, the more prominent influences include the introduction of Persian nomanclature and western training methods. The result is the assimilation of the several foreign influences in the Indian techniques of Yoga and Malla-yuddha, giving rise to a form of wrestling that borrows from many civilizations. A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a pehlwan, also spelled pahlwan due to relatively recent Persian influence. An expert or master of this style of wrestling is called a Guru (great teacher).

Dangals (wrestling competitons) are held at village levels and have their own rules which vary from place to place but usually a win is awarded by either a decision from the a panel of judges, knockout, stoppage or submission.

Contents

History

The earliest wrestlers in India practiced the Malla-yuddha style of wrestling very often. Incidences of mythological warriors wrestling without weapons are plentiful in the epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharatha.

Image:Hanuman in Terra Cotta.jpg
Sculpture of Hanuman carrying the Dronagiri mountain, Hanuman is also carrying a Gada, the weapon of mythological warriors of India

Wrestling has been very popular in India from ancient times. There is a description of a great wrestling contest described between Bhima and Jarasandha narrated in the Mahabharata. Historical wrestlers of repute include Bhima and Karna, both are mentioned in Mahabharata. Balarama, the brother of Lord Krishna was a renowned wrestler of his time. In the Ramayana there is mention of the vanara King Vali, having won against the mighty Ravana, the king of Lanka in the Malla-yuddha wrestling contest. The name of Bajarang Bali i.e. Lord Hanuman is symbolic with Indian wrestling and even today people, regardless of their religion, worship him for his superhuman prowess and might and seek His blessings for victory. During Sivaji's regime we hear of his son Sambhaji performing great feats in wrestling and finally tearing a lion with his own hands.

India in the recent past had world beaters 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 Rustum-i-Hind title.

Image:Ricksongraciechoke.jpg
Legendary fighters, like Rickson Gracie, have trained in the Yogic aspect of conditioning as taught in Indian martial arts like Malla-yuddha

Cross training was inevitable even in this ancient dicipline. 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. Modern martial arts masters keep discovering the secrets of this ancient wrestling form and incorporate it into modern styles of wrestling [1] [2]. The conditioning exercises of Pehlwani form the base of the conditioning aspect of both catch wrestling and shoot wrestling, alongwith their derivative systems. These systems also borrow several throws, submissions and takedowns from Pehlwani.

Having said that, the popularity of this strong tradition seems to be withering away. The fabled "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 the popular professional wrestling promotions have pushed Pehlwani to the brink of obscurity.

Famous Pehlwans

Olympic Freestyle Wrestlers

  • Khasabha Jadhav - 1952 olympic bronze medalist, 1948 olympics 4th place.

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 run Chandiram akhara in old delhi.
  • Kartar Singh 1978 and 1986 Asian games gold medalist, currently DSP Punjab police and Director general of sports Punjab.
  • Satpal Singh 1982 Asian games gold medalist, currently Director general of sports Delhi.

Legendary Indian Wrestlers

  • Great Gama.
    Image:Gama1916.jpg
    The "Great" Gama carries a Gada, the weapon of mythological warriors in Ramayana and Mahabharata
  • Karim Bux - was the first wrestler to get into world headlines, when he defeated Tom Canon of England in 1892.
  • 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.
  • Ghulam – accompanied the late Pandit Motilal Nehru to Paris in 1900 and defeated Kader Ali of Turkey to become the world champion.
  • Gobar Goho - defeated the legendary hook wrestler Ad Santel in San Francisco in 1922 and became the world champion.
  • 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.
  • Bholu Brothers- Illustrious Pehlwan Brothers (Bholu , Aslam , Goga , Akram and Azam).
  • Akram Pehlwan- the son of the wrestling legend Imam Baksh Pahalwan. He becomes famous for his mixed martial arts match against Antonio Inoki. And he is 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).
  • SALWINDER SINGH SHINDA (Rustam-e-Hind) and Indian national wrestling champion. He is also a four time Chandigarh Kesari award winner.
  • Sarwan Singh (Bharat Kesari award winner).
  • Jagdish Bhola (winner of Maharaja Ranjit Singh award and Bharat Kesari award).
  • Kehar Singh (winner of Maharaja Ranjit Singh award and Bharat Kesari award).
  • Sumer Singh (Bharat Kesari award winner).
  • Fateh Singh (Bharat Kesari award winner).
  • Jalji Yadav (Bharat Kesari award winner).
  • Vishnu Joshlekar (Bharat Kesari award winner and Shivaji award winner).
  • Shivaji Panchpute (Bharat Kesari award winner and Shivaji award winner).

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 choregraphed, where the fate of the match has been pre-decided. Everything in WWE, TNA and other professional wrestling promotions have to do with more acrobatics and storyline angles than the non-choregraphed amateur wrestling.)

Image:Giant LY.jpg
Indian pro wrestler Dalip Singh at the premiere of The Longest Yard
  • Sonjay Dutt: (TNA Wrestling) of Indian origin, one of the most talented and decorated light heavyweight professional wrestlers in the world.
  • The Great Khali (Dalip Singh): (WWE(Smack Down)) The Punjab State, Jalander, police bodybuilder and wrestler (Pehlwan) from Northern India standing at 7 feet 3 inches tall. In Japan, he’s known for hard fought shoot style matches. Currently training with WWE, and has a one year contract.
  • 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, then coming back home after realizing the meaning of the word "working" in American professional wrestling.
  • Gadowar Singh Sahota
Image:Tigerjeetsinghhans.jpg
Tiger Jeet Singh Hans has contributed immensely to both Professional wrestling in Japan and Professional wrestling in Canada

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.
  • 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).

See Also

External links

Template:Indian Martial Arts

Personal tools