Wrestling schools give way to gyms in Varanasi
By Girish Dubey, Varanasi: Once regarded as the royal national sport, Wrestling is rapidly losing its charm at least in Varanasi as its ancient Wrestling schools are facing oblivion because of the competition presented by modern gymnasiums that have become a fascination among youngsters.
Even the renowned wrestling schools in Varanasi are falling victims to this new-age mindset. And, wrestlers of the Tulsi Ghat can be seen swimming against the tide to keep the Akharas alive.
Akharas are the traditional Indian self-defense training centers where wrestlers come to learn and enhance their skills and preserve their teaching styles. They are the grooming grounds for wrestlers, imparting both martial and spiritual training to the youth.
Surya Prakash Shukla, a wrestler, feels becoming wrestling is primarily because of the western influence of television and the Government’s lack of support to keep the Akharas alive.
“With the western influence on TV, people here are thinking that applying mud is bad, clothes get dirty. People get influenced by advertisements that come on TV like Bruce Lee and posters of his muscles. The Government is not paying enough attention to this. They should promote wrestlers and give finances for wrestling so that people will keep the tradition and their body alive,” says Shukla.
Even a modern gym’s fitness instructor, Ravi Prakash, agrees that TV has played a major role in the spurt of gymnasiums in the last three years. He feels that people are strongly influenced by films and are looking for quick and easy ways to make their body lean and muscular.
“In Benaras, the growth of gymnasium business has increased tremendously. We now have 55 to 60 gymnasiums. It’s because of the influence of the film industry; the younger generation is now looking for fitness. They are more excited towards this. Everyone wants a good body. In Akharas, the teaching is not as good. So, people are getting attracted towards gyms,” says the instructor.
With the mushrooming of hi-tech gymnasiums, the ancient wrestling grounds are quickly disappearing as these gyms’ modern equipment prove to be more attractive for today’s generation than the Mudgals (a traditional exercise equipment made of wood).
Vinod Kumar Yadav, another wrestler, tells that gyms can be harmful once one opts to discontinue it.
“The gym is okay as long as you continue with it. However, if you leave it you are gone – nerves and body break down and you suffer from various ailments…With wrestling, even if you leave it you will remain fit for the next two to four years,” says Vinod.
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