Kabaddi by Nature traces the journey of India's true sport 'Kabaddi'

There is an important fragment of history lying within Maharashtra that underscores how kabaddi a sport that urban Indians still stick up their noses at was linked spiritually with the countrys Independence movementIts kept in a drawer in the rustic office of Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal HVPM in Amravati near Nagpur Founded in 1914 HVPM is a club that played an important part in the freedom struggle organising marches where its members under the guise of showcasing traditional Indian sports like kabaddi and mallakhamb spread anticolonial propagandaA Pro Kabaddi League match in progressAnd it was this club that was also instrumental in sending an Indian contingent to the Berlin Olympics or Nazi Olympics in 1936 where they received a medal in recognition of their contribution But more than that they were afforded at his own instructions an audience with a man who would later go down as one of the most despised dictators in modern human historySo why is it that when even somebody as difficult to impress as Adolf Hitler was taken in by the skills required to master this truly indigenous Indian sport city slickers in the country still poohpooh it as a game meant for the hinterland This is the question at the heart of Kabaddi by Nature Palimpsest a new book that chronicles how the Pro Kabaddi League PKL has breathed new life into an ancient tradition Its written by Vivek Chaudhary a UKbased veteran sports journalist Edited excerpts of an email interview with himHitlerrsquos medal given to the Indian contingent at the 1936 Berlin Olympics Pics CourtesyPalimpsestHow would you summarise kabaddis link with the fabric of rural Indian societyKabaddi is more than just a sport and nowhere is this truer than within rural India It is the sport of the masses of the common man and woman and this is something that kabaddi should be proud of It is used to celebrate festivals religious occasions and important dates in the farming calender But kabbadis link to India extends beyond the rural areas It is enmeshed in Indias spiritual traditions her freedom struggle and exists in the fabric of the nation It doesnt matter if you like kabaddi or not if you are Indian you will have some kind of connection with the sport Over the years attention has been focused on kabaddi as the game of rural folk In my book I explore kabaddis connections to India as a whole over hundreds of yearsHighlight a couple of bits of trivia from Kabaddi by Nature that you chanced upon during your researchMahatma Gandhi saw kabaddi being played during his untouchability tour prompting him to write an article on the benefits of sport one of the few occasions he had something to say on the subjectBefore the launch of the PKL Uday Shankar Star TVs boss gave Rupert Murdoch and his son James who own the Star network an explanation of how kabaddi is played leaving them scratching their headsVivek ChaudharyIn what health do you think kabaddi is in the 21st century What effect has the PKL had on the sport within and outside IndiaKabaddi is enjoying a purple patch currently The PKL has introduced a new era of professionalism Some players are earning high salaries enjoy social media followings and are at last being given the recognition and respect they deserve Away from playing things are a bit messy within the governing body but thats not new within kabaddi or any other sport Outside India the PKL is broadcast in many countries which has helped raise the sports profile Within India the organisers want to reposition kabaddi as an urban aspirational sport for millennials As long as this is not achieved at the cost of the loyal rural fan base Im convinced that kabaddi has a very bright futureYouve been a sports journalist for decades Tell us about some experiences that you never had the chance to publishI sat next to Brian Lara on a plane while covering a West Indies tour Each time I tried to strike up a conversation with him he completely ignored me I once went to meet a friend at a local cricket club near my home in London I saw a man and boy playing in the nets and as I got closer I realised it was Sachin Tendulkar and his sonCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates