The Hindu : Karnataka News : Star attraction at Hampi Utsav

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 05, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Star attraction at Hampi Utsav

M. Ahiraj

Show of strength: A wrestling match in progress at Hampi.

HAMPI: “Kusti” (wrestling) continued to be a major attraction at Hampi Utsav, the three-day cultural festival.

“Kusti,’ which acquired prominence during the Vijayanagar rule, continues to enjoy the same status even today. There are several places in and around Hampi and Hospet city to groom young “pehalwans” (wrestlers).

The Vijayanagar kings established an “akhada” (wrestling arena) near the Sisters’ stones, which is close to the royal enclosure. There are pictures, etched on the compound wall surrounding the “akada” depicting the different “dav pech” (tricks) to overpower the opponent. The public can sit around the “akhada” and watch the matches. However, the ancient “akadha” is in a dilapidated condition.

In this year’s utsav also, a large number of people gathered near the wrestling venue at Kaddirampur village, adjacent to Hampi, and cheered wrestlers who had come from various districts.

People also had the opportunity to watch wrestling matches involving some of the national and international wrestlers who had come from Delhi.

Narendra Singh of Haryana bagged the “Hampi Kesari” title overpowering Somveer Singh of Uttar Pradesh.

Ganesh of Harpanahalli took the “Hampi Kishore” title defeating Saifullah of Mariyammanahalli Bellary district.

Mallappa Patil of Jamkhandi, Bijapur district, was conferred the “Hampi Kumar” title.

He defeated Kanju Palaganakoppa. All the winners were also given a silver mace.

A few women wrestlers also participated in the matches. Neha of Punjab was awarded a “silver kada” when she defeated Rita Priyanka of Mysore.

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