There was a time when being a Pehalwan was a way of life, an art and a passion.
Thousands of people used to watch Rustum-i-Pakistan which was a very popular event in Lahore (just like a one day cricket game these days). You could easily find many Ukhara’s or Akhara’s (kinda small stadiums where traditional wrestlers exercise) in the city with Pehalwans doing their routine exercises but not anymore.
I have some wonderful childhood memories of having Khalis Lassi (sorry folks, I don’t know what Lassi is called in English but Khalis means Pure) near Pehalwani neighborhoods just behind Lahore Fort.
Going there once in a month with family for traditional Lahori Nashta+Lassi was just great. Not to mention some serious exercise was a must and we used to skip lunch after having that Nashta+Lassi. I don’t know if the quality and taste is still the same, I haven’t been there in ages which is sad.
Even today, if you ask any of your grandparents they would definitely tell you wonderful stories about the legendary Gama Pehalwan or Imam Bux (Bukhsh) Pehalwan or other world famous ambassadors of this beautiful sport (most recently the Bholu brothers: Aslam, Akram, Goga and Azam). People in their mid-twenties may still remember the grand event that took place many many years ago when a number of wrestlers (including Hulk Hogan, The Mask Man, The Under-Taker etc.) from all around the world came to Pakistan and we were entertained with traditional Pehalwani vs Hollywood wrestlers. I still remember Jhara Pehalwan vs Hollywood Hogan :o) which Jhara won of course.
[ATP adds: For a generation before that it was the great Japanese wrestler Anoki who came to Lahore to wrestle, I think, Akram Pehalwan... I believe Anoki won, big time!]
Sadly, the art of pehalwani has slowly been diminishing in Lahore. Though I have had a chance to see some healthy signs in Gujranwala (Gujranwala is called the ‘City of Pehalwans’). A serious effort is needed from people and the local government to revive this beautiful art/game in Lahore otherwise it’s not that far when we will only be finding Pehalwani in history books.
Darwaish blogs on his own blog la vie en rose and also contributes to Metroblog Lahore, where this post first appeared.
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By the way , that dude in the black and white photo looks so much like a giant baby in a big white diaper!
Very very sorry it is indeed CRICKET and not crecket, anyway does’nt change anything !!! chiaooooooo
Pehalwani in Pakistan has disappeared alas !! was wonderful sport that Pakistanis could not preserve like The Tramway and many other antiques, instead continue Patang bazi which is indeed a murdereous sport cost 30 to 40 lives (officially) every Basant, it seems this attitude is reflected in nearly every walk of life, the sense of priority, am I exaggerating ? We have sacrified enormous talents in other sports, but still clinging with the damned CRECKET. throw it out of Pakistan please.!!!
In the past, there were big sponsors of wrestling, such as the rich rajas and nawabs, who paid the pehlawans, took care of their diet and exercise, and organized the wrestling bouts.
Nowadays, there are no sponsors as Kushti is considered old and out of fashion.
Activities such as cricket, and video games have taken its place.
Reminds me of the last of the samurais in Japan. That breed also died out when their sponsors left them.
Thus the only way to revive Kushti/Pehlawani would be to sponsor pehlawans and popularize the sport once again. Another way would be for the Pakistani pahlawans to learn GrecoRoman or free style wrestling and participate in the Olympics.
Gama Pehalwan was totally unique. He fought over 5000 fights, winning each except one which was a draw. He was five foot eight inches tall and drew against Khuda Dad Bux who stood seven feet three inches. The first round lasted for three hours and was halted by the Raja of Bikaner. Gama fought europeans, americans and russians. He had no children but he trained his nephews, who despite their claims were no were close to him. They were not as fit, only using their reputation to collect extortion money from the shops around their ‘dojo”.
All this pales against the excercises that he orignated, referred erronouslly as “hindustani excercises”. In this day of arthritis they are a sure shot way of keeping supple, fit and strong even in the old age. They rely on a persons own body weight rather than extra weights. Injury is unheard of doing these and these are suitable for both men and women.
It is a shame that even his own family have forgotten these.