Wrestlers' day out

Flexing muscles

The mood was upbeat and the atmosphere charged. As the red dust from the wrestling ring rose, the spirits rose in tandem with ambience of the playground, where the wrestling match was organised.

The wrestlers tried to wrest out their prowess, even amid the cheering crowd, whose supportive words and enthusiasm rented the air. People thronged the playground behind the Ameer Baba Darga, in Shidlaghatta town, to witness the wrestling matches organised as part of the Ameer Baba Urs on Saturday.

People jostled from the surrounding buildings, balconies, terraces and even windows. While some climbed atop the trees, some of them even mounted atop the vehicles.

The events, organised by the Hyder Ali Garadimane, has been well received by the people of Shidlaghatta. Wrestling champions from Shimoga, Bangalore, Mysore, Narasapur, Mulbagal, Devanahalli, Kolar and several other places had arrived to take part in the events. The champions from Shidlaghatta, belonging to various Garadimanes (wrestling houses) - like the Hanuman Garadi, Tipu Garadi, Shriram Garadi and wrestling houses from various villages also took part in the contests.

The wrestlers prostrated before entering the wrestling ring with devotion and confidence. After saluting the soil and applying it on their forehead, they greeted their opponents. The competition was taken in good spirits and the participants were cheered with equal enthusiasm and joy. They charged at their opponents and tried every skills they were honed at, to defeat each other. Panting for breaths, taking short breaks, their never-say-die attitude charge the atmospheres even further. And when the winners were announced, they were welcomed with garlands and sweets. Frenzied crowd were also seen bursting crackers, soaking in the spirit of victory. Amid shouts, claps, cheers and hurrays, the winners were taken around in a procession.

On the occasion, renowned wrestlers, teachers heads of the wrestling houses from various places were felicitated.