INDIA - Sport & Art

Mallakhamb

Mallakhamb (malla = man of strength, gymnast and khamb = pole) is a traditional Indian gymnastics activity. It is to perform movements of balance, flexibility and strength in a vertical wooden pole, with or without the aid of ropes.

The first reference to mallakhamba is recorded in the conventional Manasollasa of Somesvara Châlukya (AD 1135). Mallakhamba originally was used as a support exercise for wrestlers. Well known to have been practiced in medieval Maharashtra and Hyderabad, this sport did not become visible in practice and well recorded until the 18th century when it was revived by Balambhatdada Deodhar, the fitness instructor Peshwa Baji Rao II of the reign of Peshwas. His student Balambhattdada Deodhar realized that only large handles can be developed with a cane pole and therefore used instead. Thereafter, the unavailability of cane yielded mallakhamba rope. Today it is used more as a performance art rather than a method of training.

Nearly 25 to 30 types of Mallakhamba device have been tried and tested over the years. 16 different types are present, but for the sport, only six types are used. Mallakhamba is present in the Hind Kesari, Indian wrestling championship. There are three main changes.
In this performance, a vertical wooden pole is fixed in the ground and the participant performs various acrobatic feats and poses while hanging on the pole. Wrestlers mount, dismount and use the center for various complex shapes to develop their grip, endurance and strength in the arms, legs and upper body.

There are a number of pillars, but the most common is an autonomous right pole, about eight to ten inches in diameter, planted in the ground. The pole used in competitions is a teak or rosewood pole, standing 2.6 meters (8.5 ft) high with a circumference of 55 centimeters (22 inches) at the base. It gradually decreases to a circumference of 35 centimeters (14 inches) on top.

Clément & Dylan