Lucknow News | Students of La Martiniere College to learn the ancient sport of Mallakhamba

Lucknow schools are steadily making efforts to connect to the roots and inculcate historically and culturally-relevant activities to make students acquainted with India's rich culture.

In one such instance, the city's preeminent La Martiniere College has decided to incorporate the traditional sport of Mallakhamba (or Mallakhamb) in the extra curriculars. Malla (which translates to wrestling) and khamb (implying 'pole') together weaves to make 'Mallakhamb', which is an ancient Indian sport wherein a gymnast uses the pole as a training apparatus to excel in moves of martial arts. A traditional sport, arising from India, Mallakhamb was declared as the state sport of Madhya Pradesh in 2013.

The students will learn aerial yoga or gymnastics on a stationary wooden pole. One pole at the school costed ₹50,000, and the principal confirmed the presence of a trained expert for the same. One of the first incidents of convent schools adapting this traditional sport.

"Mallakhamba (is) being introduced at La Martiniere College. Literally meaning "wrestling pole", the term refers to a traditional training implemented by wrestlers," Mart Principal Carlyle McFarland took to Facebook to announce.

"It will be open for the students from class 6 onwards. I am sure our sport-loving boys will enjoy this. We are trying to introduce as many indigenous sports as possible. We already have Yoga, kabaddi and archery," he said further.

The sport is expected to teach students to focus, improve level of concentration, be disciplined and agile, and enhance their fitness levels, besides spreading awareness about the indigenous sport. Mallakhamba is also known to yield maximum exercise benefits to the entire body and in minimum amount of time.