Pole stars in the making

Time of India

20-05-2025

It's 5am, and training starts at 5:30am, but two boys have already arrived at the open-air
Mallakhamb
arena, at the new open air ground at SDAT complex in Trichy. The postgraduate students show up ahead of their coach every morning, and squeeze in two hours of practice before and after college.
But it's not just about winning a competition for them; they are part of something bigger — bringing the once-forgotten Mallakhamb back to life.
They are not alone. Across Trichy, 38 youngsters between the ages of 13 and 21 have started practising at this ground. An ancient Indian sport that combines elements of yoga, gymnastics, and martial arts, Mallar Kambam or Mallakhamb is believed to have gained prominence under the Maratha empire, where it was part of the physical training regimen of soldiers and wrestlers.
However, historians and experts argue that its roots go deeper, and further south.
"There are stone carvings that suggest the sport dates back centuries, in Tamil Nadu," says A Manikandan, research scholar, dept of ancient science, Thanjavur Tamil University.
Depictions of Mallakhamb can be found in sculptures at the Brihadeeswara Temple built by Rajendra Chola I (1012–1044 AD), in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, among others.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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It is believed the martial art remained dormant for nearly seven centuries, until it was revived in the first half of the 19th century by Balambhat Deodhar, a renowned teacher of Peshwa Bajirao, the seventh Peshwa of the Maratha empire. Balambhat Deodhar is widely regarded as the founder of the current version of the sport, though it has evolved over the years.
Mallakhamb has three variants, says Trichy-based coach T Vishu.
The classic pole Mallakhamb involves performing on a vertical wooden pole anchored to the ground. The hanging pole version has a shorter pole suspended from a chain, which swings freely. In the third — rope Mallakhamb — athletes execute routines on a thick rope. Each round lasts up to a minute and a half, during which participants are evaluated on the complexity of their moves, and the precision with which they execute them.
Coach G Adithan from Villupuram says the performances from Tamil Nadu are a testament to how deeply rooted the sport is in the state. "It's natural for us to excel," he says.
Over the past few years, Mallakhamb has steadily gained ground in India, especially after 2019, when the first World Championship was held. Since then, Mallakhamb has increasingly been featured in national events such as Khelo India and several other competitions.
M Hemachandran, who won gold at the 2023 National Games and at the second World Championship in Assam 2022, believes that while the sport is gradually gaining recognition, there's a long way to go still.
"I want to achieve much more. It would be a dream to see Mallakhamb included in the Olympics one day. It will open up many opportunities for athletes like me," he says. And he's not alone in aspiring for this dream. Recently, K V Rohit from Tamil Nadu clinched gold in Mallakhamb at the Khelo India Youth Games held in Bihar.
"It was a proud moment for us. Now that he has completed Class 12, the sports quota is proving to be really helpful as we search for a good college," says G Koteeswari, his mother.
But those striving to get there are equally relevant, say coaches. This week, a few more athletes from Tamil Nadu are competing in the Khelo India beach tournament in Daman and Diu. "I want to win gold and make Trichy proud. Now that we have a full-fledged academy here, it feels only right to bring laurels to the city," says 14-year-old Iniya K M from Palakkarai, as she gears up for the competition alongside others.
The govt run academy is the second in the state, the first being in Villupuram. Some of the newly opened private facilities also offer training free of cost, like that of Guru Sathyamoorthy, who trains around 30 students at Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai. "Though it's an ancient martial art form, Mallakhamb is still relevant," says Sathyamoorthy.