WRESTLERS

Photostory on Kushti.

Kushti is a popular style of wrestling developed in the Mughal era through a synthesis of traditional South Indian combat wrestling and traditional Persian style of folk wrestling. A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a Pahalwan, while his teachers are known as Guru.

Traditional Indian wrestling isn't just a sport - it's an ancient subculture where wrestlers live and train together and follow strict rules on everything from what they can eat to what they can do in their spare time. Drinking, smoking and even sex are off limits. The focus is on living a pure life, building strength and honing their wrestling skills.

Wrestlers belong to gyms called akharas, where they live under strict rules with diets consist of milk, almonds, ghee, eggs and chapattis and each wrestler has a job to do in preparing meals.

Wrestling competitions, known as dangals, held in villages can have their own rules variations. Usually a win is awarded by a decision from a panel of judges, knockout, stoppage or submission.

Through time, western training methods and nomenclature from Iran and Europe were introduced to Kushti. The sport is on the decline, but there are still many akharas left and some dedicated people who are working to keep this ancient part of Indian culture alive. According to the Guru, sports coaches, fewer people are taking up Kushti as young athletes turn to mat wrestling to gain access to top international sports competitions.