Guru Radheshyam Akhada, Gokulpuri, Delhi It was a resettlement colony , when the Akhada started in 1970's by late Guru Radheyshyam ji. Guru Radheshyam ji believed in equality among people from all walk of life and among men and women. He himself was a good wrestler who belonged to a reputed taleem of Indore kushti culture. He came to Delhi in search of employment , while working he also practiced wrestling at different reputed Akhadas of Delhi , mainly Guru Hanuman Akhada and Guru Chandgi Ram Akhda, and continued to fulfill his passion for Kushti. He started the akhada in his later life when he retired from active wrestling practice , and felt like imparting the culture in his part of Delhi. He not only started with opening the Akhada , but also organised weekly wrestling competition at the venue. People used to gather there on sundays and watch kushti for free , many many among those watchers joined kushti , who later on became good wrestlers and are now part of respected people of India contributing to greatness of the country. Many among them have joined armed forces, police or other govt jobs like railways, etc. Guru Radheyshyam ji never backed out on his pupils, he always imparted good moral values among them. He also used to work as an ayurvedic doctor and gave oil massage when there were injuries to wrestlers to heal them. He was very good at setting fractured bones at right place and healing them. Guru Radheyshyam ji is no more now, yest his values and ideals is being followed by his son Satish Yadav who is following on his fathers footprints. He has been coaching the wrestlers during his spare time in the morning. The Akhada houses fifteen Girl wrestlers and fifty boys. The akhada has meager facilites of Mud wrestling akhada, few rusted gym equipment ,climbing ropes, wooden clubs, toilets. The temple of Lord Hanuman , which is essential part of an Akhada looks beutifuly decorated however. A shed was being constructed to protect the mud akhda in rainy days when we reached the akhada. The morning practice starts at the akhada around 6 am in winter and 5 in the summer time. The wrestler started coming for their daily chorus as we set in with our camera equipment. few parents of the wrestlers were also present there. The local councilor and the former chairman of municipality were also present there. They find it a great place for workout and recreation. We took photographs and filmed the wrestling practice which is common as anywhere else , the difference was that here women wrestles were also present. They were so much mixed with the boys that it was difficult to find out their who is who . The women wrestlers practiced among themselves as well as with boys. The guru Satish yadav consider it equally important that women wrestlers should practice with boys. That helps them become stronger. It paid off and the women wrestler have done great on mat. They have won medals at state and national level. The Akhada welcomes women wrestlers since the very begning when first women wrestlers Deepika Kaliraman and Sonika kaliraman started wrestling. They used to come there for wrestling matches with their father late Guru Master chandgi Ram ji. other famous wrestler that started wrestling from this place is wrestler Divya Sain , much is written about her since that time. She is now an international wrestler who also fight men in the traditional wrestling competitions. Thanks,

• published: 18 Mar 2016
• views: 124