Belapur Sees Sea of Wrestlers at Kushti Event

B B Nayak
Times of Navi Mumbai
Belapur village was the testimony to the fact that wrestlers from various parts of Maharashtra converged to engage themselves in the muscle-tussle in order to provide a wholesome entertainment to the connoisseurs of the oldest Indian traditional form of empty-handed fighting skill-wrestling.The wrestling afficionados in thousands were treated with a spate of locking and knocking techniques demonstrated by the elite wrestlers that created an ambience of Kolhapur where wrestling has been a household game, and is played in every nook and cranny there.

Huppa Huiyya: Belapur village saw wrestlers from various parts of Maharashtra converging to engage themselves in the muscle-tussle in order to provide a wholesome entertainment to the connoisseurs of the oldest Indian traditional form of empty-handed fighting skill-wrestling

Belapur sported a similar look as Kolhapur for a day during a state level wrestling competition held on Wednesday, organised by Ram-Maruti Janmotsav Mandal, Belapur.Over a hundred professional as well as amateur wrestlers from far-flung Maharashtra locked horns at the show which has been a prestigious sporting event for more than hundred years in this part of Navi Mumbai.
The main attraction of the competition was undoubtedly the presence of agents and touts who, along with their favourite fighters, were taking a ringside round, openly challenging other competitors for a bout or two.This was virtually followed by staggered betting money offered from both sides as well as from the curious wrestling lovers in the spectators' gallery.
No wonder then, the scene was just not simply restricted to victory and defeat. The people involved in the game-contestants and spectators alike-also generated a handsome profit. And this is what reflects the sheer charm and popularity of this countryside game.
Say Samsul Shaikh, a Kharghar resident who had spent the entire day watching the final encounter, said, "The show was appealing as one could witness seasoned wrestlers from all age groups displaying their fighting mettle. I enjoyed the entire tournament sportingly which takes place once a year here. This time I cheered for my immediate neighbour Faqrulla Hassan who won middle weight category."
According to Ravi Mhatre, the organizing coordinator, "It's an annual feature. The event is being held here during the Navratri and Hamuman Jayanti festival. We have managed to keep this tradition alive despite all odds over the years. This happens to be a rural game which attracts public from remote areas of Thane, Raigad and even Kolhapur."