Conversation with clay-skinned women wrestlers, good wrestlers get upset by their claims

On the day of Nagpanchami, Goswami Tulsidas Akhara of Varanasi was buzzing more than other days. Women covered with dust were showing their wrestling skills. It was not possible to see such a scene till a few years ago. Because Dangal, which is still considered a male-dominated sport in most places. Especially the wrestling of the arena. Similar practice was going on in Varanasi also for years. But in the year 2017 this practice was broken. Bhadaini based Goswami Tulsidas Akhara made the new idea of ​​increasing the participation of women in wrestling come true. Its Mahant Prof. Vishwambharnath Mishra. Some people believe that the reason for the breakdown of this practice is the introduction of ‘IIT ka Tadka’ in religion and culture. Mahant Vishwambharnath sees it by linking it to the equality of men and women.

You must have heard that song from Salman Khan’s film ‘Sultan’, ‘Khoon mein tere mitti, mitti mein tera khoon, upar Allah nicheh dharti, beech mein tera junoon..’. So on the day of Nagpanchami in Goswami Tulsidas Akhara, such passion was visible on the faces of women wrestlers. Women wrestlers smeared with mud were seen troubling the person in front of them with their moves. While his coach was seen encouraging him, the crowd of domestic and foreign spectators was enlivening the occasion in the middle of the game.

Goswami Tulsidas built the arena
There are many stories about this arena. It is said that when Goswami was composing Ramcharit Manas sitting on Tulsidas Ghat, he got this arena built. Actually, when he used to compose, some domineering and mischievous elements used to run away with his belongings. After a lot of persuasion and pleading, when they did not agree, Tulsidas ji got an arena built there. Wrestlers used to wrestle. Tulsidas ji also used to do riyaz (wrestling) in this akhada. The effect of this was that due to the fear of the wrestlers, the domineering and mischievous elements stopped coming there and Tulsidas started his work without any hindrance.

Regarding this arena, Mahant Vishwambhar Nath Mishra, who is also a professor in BHU IIT, tells that Hanuman ji is the god of strength, intelligence and learning. Tulsidas ji has considered him as his guru. Tulsidas ji believed that worship and service can be better only when the person is healthy. To stay healthy, Riyaz is also needed along with food. That’s why Goswami ji laid the foundation of this akhada. Since then it has become a tradition here. People come and do Riyaz.

Mahant Vishwambhar Nath Mishra said, for years only male wrestlers used to do Riyaz here in the akhada. The entry of women was prohibited. A few years back, some girls wanted to practice in the akhada, then people objected. When he came to know about this, he said that the foundation of this akhada has been laid for health and safety. This is also necessary for girls. Then why can’t girls practice. Only after this, Mishra allowed the girls to practice here. Since then 12 to 15 girls started coming to the akhada for riyaz and wrestling.

Wrestling is practiced here on the occasion of Nagpanchami. Wrestlers have wrestling. In the year 2017, we organized a wrestling competition for men as well as women here. This was a new beginning. Now girls are also getting encouragement. Many girls practicing here are doing well at the state and national level.

Srishti, who came to fight wrestling, says, I have been practicing for the last 5 years. Earlier used to play taekwondo. I do wrestling now. I practice in the morning in the akhada and then in the evening at BHU. I have played at the state level. The dream is to play for the country. Regarding her routine, she says, the routine of wrestlers is fixed. We have to take diet along with exercise in a schedule from morning to night. As well as comfort. It feels good that now even in Banaras women wrestlers get so much love and respect.

Wrestler Anjali is doing BA from Kashi Vidyapeeth. She practices from class-6 itself. His father has also been a wrestler. She says times have changed. Now wrestling is just wrestling. Women and men are all equal. We practice just like men. The same bets are learned and tried by men. There is no difference anymore.

specialty of the arena
Some bets of the akhada have got fame all over the world. Like it is claimed that ‘Dhobia Pat’ bet is the discovery of this arena. The wrestler Mahant Swaminathan here had invented it. With this bet, he defeated Ramamurthy, the country’s leading wrestler, in one go. Along with this, there are bets like Dhak, Chaumukha Kala Jung, Newaj Bandh, Halrabun, Sakhi, Motichur, Machchi Gota and Saad which the world has adopted and tried. Due to being on the bank of the ghat, the wrestlers here do riyaz in the arena and take a dip in the Ganges while being stained with mud. If you swim then it becomes icing on the cake in Riyaz. Here, from the side of the arena, they get to eat gram and jaggery, which is also a good diet or breakfast for them.

The special thing about the special event on the day of Nagpanchami is that people from nearby districts reach to watch women’s wrestling. The whole arena remains full. People watch wrestling from the road. Even foreign tourists come to watch wrestling. Tourists from abroad are surprised to see wrestlers covered with mud.

Kathleen, who came from the Netherlands, says that she was surprised to see this. She has been watching, studying and understanding Banaras from the point of view of music, religion, knowledge, yoga, spirituality and culture. For the first time, I am seeing him from the point of view of the wrestlers as well. I can say, all these things make Banaras priceless.

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