Darwaish
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.
i think it was akram pehalwan who died because of a flying kick by his nephew nasir bholu during a match? anyone knows who is rustum e pakistan these days? lassi, yes i remember that well. kia yaad kara dia!
unfortunately many of the pehalwaans in lahore started gunda gardi and badmaashi during late 80’s and 90’s. and there were also accusations of noora kushti which i think gave very bad name to this sport. i do not think the kind of traditional pehalwaani you are talking about can be revived in this modern age.
nice post btw. you should write more about these things rather than boycotts and politics :)
Thanks Darwaish for your article! I can’t gree more that we must make an effort to revive this beautiful sport. Every country in the world has their own unique sports and and cultural events. Rustam’s Pakistan could be our cultural event that we are proud of. Not to mention that copying other sports that do not truely define who we are sort of kills what we are. You can always be great in a sport that you belong to and love. And, that is what makes Art.
Adnan, USA.
*If you go to rural areas of lahore
well you can change every sport according to changing times but that doesn’t mean you totally ignore it.
If rural areas around lahore, i am sure you will find a lot of people more than interested in pehalwani.
I was just wondering you guys didn’t mention anything about other pehalwaans (haddi jorne wale pehalwaan ji) who used to fix broken bones. One delicate touch and even a seriously fractured bone used to get fixed. You know what I mean?