Malla-yuddha facts for kids
Krishna and Balarama fight the evil king Kamsa’s wrestlers.
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| Focus | Wrestling |
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| Country of origin | India |
| Famous practitioners | Krishna Bhima Jarasandha Siddhartha Gautama Narasimhavarman Krishna Deva Raya Deva Raya II |
| Descendant arts | Pehlwani Naban |
| Olympic sport | No |
Malla-yuddha is a traditional form of wrestling that comes from the Indian subcontinent. The name comes from the Sanskrit words malla (wrestler) and yuddha (fight). It is one of the oldest fighting styles in the world. This martial art is an ancestor of modern Indian wrestling, known as pehlwani or kushti.
In the past, Malla-yuddha was very popular. It involved grappling, holding, and striking. Matches were held for sport, but sometimes they were used to settle serious arguments between kingdoms. Today, the original form is rare, but its traditions live on in other wrestling styles in South India.
Contents
What is Malla-yuddha?
Malla-yuddha is more than just a sport; it is a way of life for the wrestlers. The term describes a wrestling match or a contest of strength. It is divided into four main styles. Each style is named after a famous god or hero from Hindu legends.
Four Styles of Combat
The four categories of Malla-yuddha focus on different skills:
- Hanumanti: This style is named after Hanuman. It focuses on technical skill and clever strategy.
- Jambuvanti: Named after Jambavan, this style uses locks and holds to control the opponent.
- Jarasandhi: Named after Jarasandha, this style focuses on limb and joint techniques.
- Bhimaseni: Named after Bhima, this style relies on pure physical strength.
History and Legends
Wrestling has a very long history in India. It is described in ancient texts like the Malla Purana, written in the 13th century. However, the sport is much older than that.
Ancient Stories
Famous epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata tell stories of great wrestling matches.
- Hanuman is worshipped as the patron god of wrestlers. He represents strength and devotion.
- Bhima fought a famous match against Jarasandha in the Mahabharata.
- Krishna is also described as a great wrestler. Stories say he used punches and holds to defeat the king Kamsa.
- Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, was an expert wrestler and archer in his youth.
Royal Patronage
In medieval times, kings loved to watch wrestling. They would host matches at their palaces during festivals. Wrestlers were treated with great respect. Winners received large prizes and flags of victory from the king.
The Pallava king Narasimhavarman was such a good wrestler that he was called "Mahamalla," which means "Great Wrestler." Later, in the Vijayanagara Empire, King Krishna Deva Raya would wake up early every day to exercise and wrestle.
Training and Discipline
Wrestlers, or mallas, follow a strict routine. They must have discipline in their diet, exercise, and daily behavior.
The Arena (Akhara)
Wrestlers train in a place called an akhara. The training floor is a pit filled with clay or dirt.
- The soil is mixed with ingredients like ghee (clarified butter) and sometimes milk.
- Water is added to keep the dirt soft enough to prevent injury but hard enough to move on.
- Before practice, wrestlers flatten the soil. This is part of their exercise.
- They often offer a prayer to Hanuman before starting.
Exercises and Diet
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Training begins at a young age, usually around ten to twelve. The wrestlers live a simple life to focus on their sport.
- Exercises: They do yoga poses, push-ups (danda), and squats (bethak).
- Mallakhamba: This is a special pillar or pole. Wrestlers climb it and perform poses to build strength and balance.
- Equipment: They use heavy stone rings (gar nal) and heavy clubs (gada) to build muscle.
- Diet: Wrestlers eat healthy foods like milk, almonds, sugar, and pulses to stay strong.
Modern Practice
Over time, Malla-yuddha changed. When the Mughal Empire ruled parts of India, a Persian style of wrestling influenced the local art. This created the modern sport of pehlwani.
Today, traditional Malla-yuddha is mostly seen in South India, in states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. However, the exercises and discipline of the ancient wrestlers are still used by modern athletes in India.
See also
- Gatta Gusthi
- Musti-yuddha
- Vajra-mushti
- Mukna
- Boli Khela
- Inbuan
- Khmer traditional wrestling
