Wrestlers of Hanuman
14 images Created 1 Jul 2014
Shri Hanuman Akhara in Old Delhi; home to over 60 Kushti wrestlers.
Kushti, is a 3,000-year-old martial art still practiced in some parts of India. Lord Hanuman, the monkey god of the Ramayana, symbolizes strength & fearlessness and it is to him that Kushti wrestlers pray for victory. The daily life of those wrestler starts at 6 am by push-ups and weightlifting. Then the wrestlers are paired by their trainers for practice bouts. The grueling daily training, strict diet and celibacy for the duration of their careers are necessary if they hope to ever achieve their dream - become a champion 'Pehlwani', which in these parts of India means - glory, respect, and power.
The tradition is under threat as Indian sports councils constantly pressures Kushti schools to abandon ways of the past, embrace international wrestling standards, and win medals at Olympics.
Kushti, is a 3,000-year-old martial art still practiced in some parts of India. Lord Hanuman, the monkey god of the Ramayana, symbolizes strength & fearlessness and it is to him that Kushti wrestlers pray for victory. The daily life of those wrestler starts at 6 am by push-ups and weightlifting. Then the wrestlers are paired by their trainers for practice bouts. The grueling daily training, strict diet and celibacy for the duration of their careers are necessary if they hope to ever achieve their dream - become a champion 'Pehlwani', which in these parts of India means - glory, respect, and power.
The tradition is under threat as Indian sports councils constantly pressures Kushti schools to abandon ways of the past, embrace international wrestling standards, and win medals at Olympics.
