With growing patrons, Garadi houses in Old Mysuru relive their glorious past

Shrinivasa.M
Mysuru: The Old Mysuru region in Karnataka is known for garadi mane (wrestling house), traditional wrestling, and physical training centres. Until a few years ago, it was feared that they may not survive long with gyms mushrooming in the city. However, over the last few months, the trend is reversing with garadi manes witnessing a surge in the number of patrons.
What is adding to the buzz is that girls are also joining the garadi manes, which was not the trend earlier. One of the most unique features of garadi manes is that no money is collected for training.
For Mysuru residents, the garadi manes are not new. For centuries, several garadi manes have been functional here training the youths, with royal patronage. Wrestling competition is an important and integral part of Mysuru Dasara celebrations. Many roads in the city are named after these garadis or well-known pailwans (wrestlers). There was a fear a few years ago that these garadis may become history with youths showing little interest in continuing training in these centres. But post Covid-19, they have received a new lease of life.
According to Mysuru District Bharatiya Shaili Kusti Sangha president and in-charge of Ittigegudu Hathu Janagala Garadi pailwan Chandrashekar, post-Covid, the demand for the training in the garadi manes has increased a lot. “People are now aware that practising in these centres is far better compared to the gyms,” he said. According to him, Mysuru district has around 206 garadi manes and around 190 are active now.
“We started our organisation to make the garadi manes popular, and to conserve the native wrestling styles. We are working for this cause,” he said.
His Ittigegudu Hathu Janagala Garadi is at least 162 years old and the road leading to this garadi mane is named after it. “My entire family is full of wrestlers. My son Bhavan Chandra, who is studying in Class 9 is also learning wrestling. The demand for training in garadi manes has increased. Now, girls are also coming forward for training in our garadi manes,” he said.
According to Chandrashekar, the exercise routine in garadi manes is very balanced and it includes full body workout. “We don’t take any money for training,” he added.
“Those who are preferring the garadi mane over gym say that traditional wrestling is more balanced and there is no fear of any health issues. I was going to a gym. But then, my family insisted on shifting to yoga and garadi mane. So, I have been training at a garadi mane for the last two months,” said Siddartha Patel, a resident of JC Nagar.
According to 68-year-old yajaman pailwan S Mahadev, general secretary, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Garadi Sangha, Sahukar S Chennaiah Kusti Akhada, Doddakere grounds in the city, girls are coming forward to learn and practice in the garadi manes. “Around 30-35 young students are practising in our kushti akhada. Among them are five to six girls. More and more youngsters are coming forward to our centres,” he said.
Karnataka State Gym and Fitness Association president AV Ravi said: “Initially due to Covid-19, we faced problems. Now, some people have misconceptions about working out in gyms.”
Ravi informed that there are over 10,000 gyms spread across the state. “To set up a gym, an investment between Rs 15 lakh to 20 lakh is required. The government must consider extending financial help in line with the small scale industries to revive the gym industry,” he said.
He also appealed to the public to return to gyms as they are safe.