Mysore, June 3: Wodeyars and wrestling are synonymous with the city of Mysore. And when grapplers like Kaka Pawar and Gurcharan Singh began their bouts at the spruced-up Sowcar Chennaiah Akhada today, it brought back images of the city's past when the fights under royal patronage used to hold the Mysoreans captive.

Wrestling as a sport can be traced to the days of the Wodeyars, and the number of garadi manes (gymnasiums) in the city points towards its popularity. Names like Pakeer Sab Garadi, Mayanna Garadi and Pahlwan Basaviah Garadi hold a place of pride in Mysore's history.

In fact, the Maharaja of Mysore, Ranadeera Kanteerava, is remembered more for his contribution to the sport than anything else. A particular anecdote about Kanteerava's victory over a wrestler from Tiruchi (in Tamil Nadu) is part of folklore. The wrestlers in those days fought for gold and silver as royal gifts, and the lucky ones even landed up with jagirs.

If Kanteerava popularised the malla yuddha form of wrestling, others patronised the Jatti Kalaga or the Vajramushti Kalaga. In this particular form, the fighters had their heads tonsured and fought with medal knuckles in their hands. A mark made on the rival's head signified victory. The tradition is still very much alive, and the Maharaja still witnesses the fight before appearing for the annual world-famous Dasara procession on Vijayadasami Day. The only difference is that now the spectators are members of the royal family and their invitees.

The wrestling venue of the Games -- Sowcar Chennaiah Akhada -- is named after Chennaiah, a freedom fighter during the early years of this century, who built this wrestling ring on a piece of land given to him by the King in recognition of his contribution to the sport.

Surrounded by the gun house of the Palace on the west, the Doddakere Maidan on the north, the Dasara exhibition grounds on the east and the Palace office to the south, the akhada still provides a particular royal touch to the sport.

If only the National Games Organising Committee had retained the ambience in full without building the concrete steps to accommodate spectators, the event would have brought back the resplendence of the days of the Maharajas. The steps are only an eyesore in the akhada, which can easily accommodate about 15,000 people on its picturesque mounds.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.