Written by: Ali Hassan Zia
Posted on: August 28, 2019 | 
| 中文
The players showing off their strength
The colors and festivals of the province of Punjab’s have been well-known and well-documented. But if we leave the cities and venture into the villages, we can see the life force of this immense land in its communal recreational activities. Among these activities, “Kabaddi” holds a soft spot in the heart of every Punjabi.
Kabaddi is mostly an all-male game played during festivals which run all year long (except during Ramzan and Muharram). Games are played on national holidays, the coming of the harvest and the urs of local saints. These festivals allow villagers to have fun and make friends with each other, forming a bridge of unity and harmony through healthy competition.
Kabaddi is played between two teams of seven players each. Players from each team take turns to run across the centre line, into the opposing team’s territory. Their goal is to tackle members of the other team, and run back without getting tackled themselves. This game is a test of strength, stamina and speed. It starts out from local level matches, to tehsils and districts level tournaments, to national competitions.
Villages and communities have remained deeply invested in Kabaddi because it represents self-respect and honor through sheer physical prowess. Losing a game can mean a significant loss of reputation for a village.
The love of Kabaddi is inculcated in children from a very early age. Children spend their afternoons play-fighting kabaddi in the village’s vast, open fields. This game acts as both a hobby, and a form of exercise and training. As the children grow older, they set their sights on becoming professional players. They are encouraged to join local kabaddi clubs at the village level, to further polish their skills and techniques.
The trainers are mostly former Kabaddi players, who have devoted their whole life to the game. In terms of training, Kabaddi closely resembles wrestling. Often arduous and demanding, it involves fitness training, aerobic exercises, jogging and running to build muscles and endurance.
For a professional player, training starts early in the day, and can extend well into the evening. Along with exercise, the players are encouraged to work in the fields with the farmers under tough conditions. A healthy diet also plays the key role in developing these players as bonafide power machines. An average Kabaddi player consumes one kilogram of fresh cow milk, 250 grams of desi ghee, and half a kilogram of meat every day.
Come the day of the match, the spectators arrive in dhoti qurtas and shalwar kameez, and the men wear turbans. Once the game begins, it seems as though the entire village becomes charged. The place is packed with spectators ready to support their local teams. Villagers also gift special foods to the players such as milk, butter and dry fruits, to give them strength as they warm up and practice.
The match commentating is just as important as the actual game, and villages often invite renowned commentators. Along with commentary, they recite poems called “Dhorey” in Punjabi, which fires up the emotions of every villager and player. Drumbeats mark every point won by a team.
The chants of the spectators create an atmosphere that is almost spiritual. When the sheer muscle of a player pushes down another in defeat, the crowd roars. Winning players show their prowess by slapping one hand on their thigh, and extending the the finger of the other hand to the sky.
When a team wins, the village hoists up the victors on their shoulders, place garlands around their necks and beat drums. The local landlords (Chaudharies) act as chief guests, who hand out prizes and trophies to the winners. Their mustaches turn upwards with pride, and a feast is dedicated to the players, to which the whole village is invited.
The life of every villager is incomplete without Kabaddi. The physicality and professionalism of the players is awe-inspiring to spectators and aspiring players alike. But more than that, through the game, the villages get to own their legacies in an active and enjoyable way. For centuries, Kabaddi as well as village festivals are a source of pride and camaraderie amongst the villagers.
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