Showing posts with label dasara. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dasara. Show all posts
Nov 1, 2013
Oct 20, 2013
Wrestlers of MLIRC shine at Mysore Dasara Wrestling competition
BELGAUM OCT 18 : The Wrestlers of Maratha Light Infantry put up an splendid show at All India Invitational Mysore Dasara Wrestling competition held recently at Mysore. The Wrestlers won 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze medals in the event.
Sepoy Anand S H won the prestigious Karnatak Rajya Kesari award. Havaldar Praveen Shewale, Havaldar Prakash Yargatti and Sepoy Anand S H won the Gold medals, Sepoy Sandeep Kumar, Lnk Krishant Sawant Sepoy Anurudha Dabekar and Sepoy Sameer Patil won the Bronze medals in the competition
Brigadier Santosh Kurup congratulated the wrestlers on their achievement. All the triumphant wrestlers were given a warm welcome by the MLIRC Jawans when they arrived at the Railway station
Oct 1, 2011
WRESTLING TO KEEP TRADITION ALIVE
Deccan Herald
Mysore Dasara has many traditions and rituals associated with it, all adding flavour to the festivities in their own way. Among them is ‘Vajra Mushthi Kalaga’, a wrestling bout that is held in the palace, which kickstarts the ten-day celebrations. Preethi Nagaraj writes about the famed ‘garadi manes’ of Mysore, where traditional wrestlers are trained.
The mud is loose, indicating that no man has stepped on it for the day, yet. At the garadi mane (homes where wrestlers are trained), the malla kambha (acrobatic pole) stands lonely and tall. A traditional picture of Hanuman or Maruti standing all muscled-up and sturdy (sometimes without the images of Rama and Seeta peeping from his bleeding and torn chest) has different shades and colours.
At the break of dawn, young men and boys start walking in slowly. Gaze fixed, daav on their minds, they are hoping to spring a surprise move during their practice, to make their ustad happy. Women don’t even cross their mind, let alone their path! The pehalwans.
They are the men kings took pride in. Those Indian gladiators who wrestled with other men to provide both entertainment and also to reassure their kings that virile men were among his subjects. Such events formed the most important part of festivals too.
For instance, in Mysore’s Dasara, Vajra Mushthi Kalaga is considered the traditional flagging-off ritual of the festivities. During the days of the early Maharajas, this was albeit a bloody one. But today, it stands as a small representation of the bygone era.
Those days, men wore metal knuckles while fighting. But today, the knuckle has tiger nails set in metal, considered most sturdy and sharp. The kalaga (fight), which has a place even in the modern-day Dasara, takes place in the precincts of the Palace. Soft soil is spread to create an akhada (stage) and two jattis fight each other till a few drops of blood oozes from the head region of one of the fighters. “The rakta darshana (sight of blood) would hail the journey kings undertook to defeat or capture the kingdoms of other rulers.
Ayudha pooja completed, weapons all ready and set, kings would proceed on seemollanghana (surpassing the boundaries of their kingdom),” says historian who has chronicled the contribution of Wodeyars, the royal family of Mysore, Prof P V Nanjaraje Urs.
Support from the kings kept the art alive till date. But, the costs involved in making a pehalwan and also disappearance of garadi mane, which have been replaced with quintessential gyms and karate classes, has left the art with less takers.
Mysore today has 84 documented garadi houses, where men receive training in traditional method, to few hundreds which survived till early 80s. With the cost of living increasing every day, their diet of badam, pista, dates, milk, eggs and chapaathis are not easy for the lower middle class families to meet, from where the wrestlers come.
Dasara Kusti Development Committee Secretary P Ravikumar, a government servant working in the capacity of PRO at Cauvery Neeravari Nigam, was instrumental in initiating ‘Marali Baa Garadige’ programme, which saw many former wrestlers returning to garadi houses a year ago. “Now, we sell tickets for wrestling events which are held every month at Rs 20 - 30, which is organised by former wrestlers who have pooled in the finances by themselves. Our crowd numbers not less than 3,000 - 4,000 every event, sometimes going up to 6,000 too!” he says. Courtesy Home Minister Ashok these events are given free police protection.
READ MORE HERE
Mysore Dasara has many traditions and rituals associated with it, all adding flavour to the festivities in their own way. Among them is ‘Vajra Mushthi Kalaga’, a wrestling bout that is held in the palace, which kickstarts the ten-day celebrations. Preethi Nagaraj writes about the famed ‘garadi manes’ of Mysore, where traditional wrestlers are trained.
The mud is loose, indicating that no man has stepped on it for the day, yet. At the garadi mane (homes where wrestlers are trained), the malla kambha (acrobatic pole) stands lonely and tall. A traditional picture of Hanuman or Maruti standing all muscled-up and sturdy (sometimes without the images of Rama and Seeta peeping from his bleeding and torn chest) has different shades and colours.
At the break of dawn, young men and boys start walking in slowly. Gaze fixed, daav on their minds, they are hoping to spring a surprise move during their practice, to make their ustad happy. Women don’t even cross their mind, let alone their path! The pehalwans.
They are the men kings took pride in. Those Indian gladiators who wrestled with other men to provide both entertainment and also to reassure their kings that virile men were among his subjects. Such events formed the most important part of festivals too.
For instance, in Mysore’s Dasara, Vajra Mushthi Kalaga is considered the traditional flagging-off ritual of the festivities. During the days of the early Maharajas, this was albeit a bloody one. But today, it stands as a small representation of the bygone era.
Those days, men wore metal knuckles while fighting. But today, the knuckle has tiger nails set in metal, considered most sturdy and sharp. The kalaga (fight), which has a place even in the modern-day Dasara, takes place in the precincts of the Palace. Soft soil is spread to create an akhada (stage) and two jattis fight each other till a few drops of blood oozes from the head region of one of the fighters. “The rakta darshana (sight of blood) would hail the journey kings undertook to defeat or capture the kingdoms of other rulers.
Ayudha pooja completed, weapons all ready and set, kings would proceed on seemollanghana (surpassing the boundaries of their kingdom),” says historian who has chronicled the contribution of Wodeyars, the royal family of Mysore, Prof P V Nanjaraje Urs.
Support from the kings kept the art alive till date. But, the costs involved in making a pehalwan and also disappearance of garadi mane, which have been replaced with quintessential gyms and karate classes, has left the art with less takers.
Mysore today has 84 documented garadi houses, where men receive training in traditional method, to few hundreds which survived till early 80s. With the cost of living increasing every day, their diet of badam, pista, dates, milk, eggs and chapaathis are not easy for the lower middle class families to meet, from where the wrestlers come.
Dasara Kusti Development Committee Secretary P Ravikumar, a government servant working in the capacity of PRO at Cauvery Neeravari Nigam, was instrumental in initiating ‘Marali Baa Garadige’ programme, which saw many former wrestlers returning to garadi houses a year ago. “Now, we sell tickets for wrestling events which are held every month at Rs 20 - 30, which is organised by former wrestlers who have pooled in the finances by themselves. Our crowd numbers not less than 3,000 - 4,000 every event, sometimes going up to 6,000 too!” he says. Courtesy Home Minister Ashok these events are given free police protection.
READ MORE HERE
Sep 10, 2011
Dasara wrestling bouts from September 28
Deccan Herald
Wrestling tournaments — one of the major attractions during Dasara will be held from September 28 to October 3.
To enable connoisseurs of sports get a treat of traditional kusti — nada kusti — the bouts will be held for four days from the inaugural day at 3.30 pm. Marpeeth — another form of wrestling that had the patronage of erstwhile Wadiyars, would be held during the inaugural and valedictory sessions of the event.
To facilitate more number of audience who come in hordes especially during the festival, additional seating arrangements by increasing the steps in circular manner has been undertaken by Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA).
The additional seating capacity would be able to accommodate 2,000 more fans against the existing capacity. It’s also proposed to construct a roof for the spectators’ area too, which comes in handy during rain.
The posters of Dasara wrestling tournaments were also released on the occasion. Member secretary of the sub-committee D Ravikumar, former chairmen D Prahlad Rao and K S Rangappa and coach Manjappa were present.
Wrestling tournaments — one of the major attractions during Dasara will be held from September 28 to October 3.
To enable connoisseurs of sports get a treat of traditional kusti — nada kusti — the bouts will be held for four days from the inaugural day at 3.30 pm. Marpeeth — another form of wrestling that had the patronage of erstwhile Wadiyars, would be held during the inaugural and valedictory sessions of the event.
To facilitate more number of audience who come in hordes especially during the festival, additional seating arrangements by increasing the steps in circular manner has been undertaken by Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA).
The additional seating capacity would be able to accommodate 2,000 more fans against the existing capacity. It’s also proposed to construct a roof for the spectators’ area too, which comes in handy during rain.
The posters of Dasara wrestling tournaments were also released on the occasion. Member secretary of the sub-committee D Ravikumar, former chairmen D Prahlad Rao and K S Rangappa and coach Manjappa were present.
Oct 18, 2010
PUNJAB WRESTLER WINS DANGAL
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Oct 17: Wrestler Rehmat Ali of Punjab outplayed Vinod of Delhi in the main bout to lift the dangal title, organised by Chhinj Committee RS Pura at Bana Singh Stadium, here today.
Minister for Sports, RS Chib was chief guest on the occasion while Sham Chaudhary, MLA Suchetgarh and Prof Gharu Ram Bhagat, MLA RS Pura were guests of honour.
The winner received a cash prize of Rs 5000 and a Refrigerator presented by the chief guest and the guests of honour. This annual dangal was held to celebrate Dussehra.
JAMMU, Oct 17: Wrestler Rehmat Ali of Punjab outplayed Vinod of Delhi in the main bout to lift the dangal title, organised by Chhinj Committee RS Pura at Bana Singh Stadium, here today.
Minister for Sports, RS Chib was chief guest on the occasion while Sham Chaudhary, MLA Suchetgarh and Prof Gharu Ram Bhagat, MLA RS Pura were guests of honour.
The winner received a cash prize of Rs 5000 and a Refrigerator presented by the chief guest and the guests of honour. This annual dangal was held to celebrate Dussehra.
Oct 9, 2010
Wrestling Minister Delights Crowd in Mysore
Shankar Bennur, The Hindu
— PHOTO: M.A. Sriram
Friendly tussle:Minister for Mass Education and Public Libraries Revu Naik Belamagi (left) wrestling with ‘Tiger' Balaji to mark the inauguration of Dasara Kusti in Mysore on Friday.
MYSORE: At a time when MLAs from all political parties in the State are busy politicking in the wake of the political turmoil, Minister for Public Libraries and Mass Education Revu Naik Belamagi preferred to flex his muscles in the wrestling ring instead.
Mr. Belamagi, an MLA from Gulbarga who used to be a professional wrestler, inaugurated the Dasara wrestling championship on Friday by jumping into the wrestling arena for a friendly bout with a local wrestler in front of a big crowd at the D. Devaraj Urs Multipurpose Stadium.
The Minister's opponent was the burly ‘Tiger' Balaji, a 51-year-old wrestler from Mysore.
The 72-year-old Minister, who is said to have groomed many youngsters into professional wrestlers in his home district before joining politics, got a loud applause from the crowd when the organisers announced that Mr. Belamagi would open the championship by participating in it.
Mr. Belamagi took off his khadi clothes and wore the loincloth suited for the match. After some warm-up exercises, the Minister entered the ring amid thunderous applause from the spectators. Even at this age, Mr. Belamagi showed great zeal and took on his opponent.
The exhibition match lasted for about five minutes. His participation was aimed at encouraging the youth to preserve sports such as Indian wrestling, which is fast fading from the scene.
Friendly tussle:Minister for Mass Education and Public Libraries Revu Naik Belamagi (left) wrestling with ‘Tiger' Balaji to mark the inauguration of Dasara Kusti in Mysore on Friday.
MYSORE: At a time when MLAs from all political parties in the State are busy politicking in the wake of the political turmoil, Minister for Public Libraries and Mass Education Revu Naik Belamagi preferred to flex his muscles in the wrestling ring instead.
Mr. Belamagi, an MLA from Gulbarga who used to be a professional wrestler, inaugurated the Dasara wrestling championship on Friday by jumping into the wrestling arena for a friendly bout with a local wrestler in front of a big crowd at the D. Devaraj Urs Multipurpose Stadium.
The Minister's opponent was the burly ‘Tiger' Balaji, a 51-year-old wrestler from Mysore.
The 72-year-old Minister, who is said to have groomed many youngsters into professional wrestlers in his home district before joining politics, got a loud applause from the crowd when the organisers announced that Mr. Belamagi would open the championship by participating in it.
Mr. Belamagi took off his khadi clothes and wore the loincloth suited for the match. After some warm-up exercises, the Minister entered the ring amid thunderous applause from the spectators. Even at this age, Mr. Belamagi showed great zeal and took on his opponent.
The exhibition match lasted for about five minutes. His participation was aimed at encouraging the youth to preserve sports such as Indian wrestling, which is fast fading from the scene.
Oct 8, 2010
Dasara Wrestling Starts Today in Mysore
The Hindu
MYSORE: Get ready for some thrilling action as budding and seasoned wrestlers show off their skills at the Dasara wrestling championships to be held from October 8 to 16.
The nine-day event, which will be held at the D. Devaraj Urs Multipurpose Stadium, will be inaugurated by Minister for Public Libraries Revu Naik Belamagi. Interestingly, the organisers are planning on bringing Mr. Belamagi, who is a wrestler, into the ring for a bout.
D.V. Prahlad Rao, chairman, Dasara Wrestling Subcommittee, told presspersons that the State-level men's wrestling competition will be held from October 8 to 10, the State-level women's wrestling competition on October 11 and wrestling bouts for boys and girls (below 16 years) will also be held on October 11.
The national-level wrestling competitions (for men and women) will be conducted on October 12 and 13, according to Mr. Rao, who is also a wrestler.
Wrestling bouts for the titles of Dasara Kishora, Dasara Kumara, Dasara Kesari and Dasara Kanteerava will also be conducted at the same venue.
The “akada” (wrestling arena) is being spruced up for the major bouts which will be monitored by a team of officials.
The sub-committee overseeing the wrestling event — for State and national titles — is expecting over 600 wrestlers to take part.
The stadium can accommodate 16,000 to 17,000 spectators.
MYSORE: Get ready for some thrilling action as budding and seasoned wrestlers show off their skills at the Dasara wrestling championships to be held from October 8 to 16.
The nine-day event, which will be held at the D. Devaraj Urs Multipurpose Stadium, will be inaugurated by Minister for Public Libraries Revu Naik Belamagi. Interestingly, the organisers are planning on bringing Mr. Belamagi, who is a wrestler, into the ring for a bout.
D.V. Prahlad Rao, chairman, Dasara Wrestling Subcommittee, told presspersons that the State-level men's wrestling competition will be held from October 8 to 10, the State-level women's wrestling competition on October 11 and wrestling bouts for boys and girls (below 16 years) will also be held on October 11.
The national-level wrestling competitions (for men and women) will be conducted on October 12 and 13, according to Mr. Rao, who is also a wrestler.
Wrestling bouts for the titles of Dasara Kishora, Dasara Kumara, Dasara Kesari and Dasara Kanteerava will also be conducted at the same venue.
The “akada” (wrestling arena) is being spruced up for the major bouts which will be monitored by a team of officials.
The sub-committee overseeing the wrestling event — for State and national titles — is expecting over 600 wrestlers to take part.
The stadium can accommodate 16,000 to 17,000 spectators.
Oct 1, 2010
KARNATAKA MINISTER TO WRESTLE AT DASARA
By HM Aravind, Mysore
Karnataka minister Revu Nayak Belamagi to take to wrestling ring this Dasara. The minister will wrestle with a professional wrestler, says Dasara wrestling sub-committee chief D V Prahlad Rao. The wrestling events are starting on October 8 and will be on till October 16
Karnataka minister Revu Nayak Belamagi to take to wrestling ring this Dasara. The minister will wrestle with a professional wrestler, says Dasara wrestling sub-committee chief D V Prahlad Rao. The wrestling events are starting on October 8 and will be on till October 16
Apr 23, 2010
Wrestlers Warming Up for Nada Kusti
Mysore, April 22: As the countdown begins for Dasara and the organisers scramble to get their act together, the wrestlers are all set to fine-tune their skills. For, it is the season of Nada Kusti, the traditional form of wrestling, which is on the verge of sliding into extinction, but makes a come back during festivities.
As part of the inauguration, wrestling enthusiasts can look forward to quite a few bouts of Nada Kusti along with Marpeet, which is reckoned to be a crowd-puller during the festivities. And the organisers have increased the allowances given to the participants. This is expected to give a fillip to the number of participants this year.
Nada Kusti was popularised by the royal family of Mysore and was a favourite sport among the people. But over the years, it has lost sheen, but for the sudden resurgence in interest during Dasara when the tradition holds sway.
Hence, along with Nada Kusti, the people also get a chance to witness another form of wrestling, Vajra Musthi.
Meanwhile, the wrestlers in Mysore are warming up for the grand event and the Garadis or gymnasium where the wrestlers practice, are packed with budding wrestlers, learning the trick of the trade from their teachers.
The city is home to dozens of such Garadis of which at least a few are more than 150 years old.
Though the public reaction to Nada Kusti in the run up to the festivities is muted, it is a sight to behold as the crowd lustily cheers and supports their favourite garadi, akin to supporting the favourite team in the Indian Premier League matches. For, at stake will be the silver mace and the title of Dasara Kesari and similar high sounding titles.
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