Séverine DABADIE
Photographer / Images and peoples
Wrestling, known as "Kushti", was long popular in India. More widely practiced by the Yadav's caste, the milkmen, It had in the past a boom in northern India and especially at Banaras.
Practiced in a "akhara", it is much more than just physical activity for the worship of the god Hanuman, the monkey god, is capital.
Today, in Banaras, numerous Akharas have closed their doors. Kushtit is in direct competition with modern lifestyles often far removed from the discipline and hygiene befitting the great wrestler (Pahalwan).
Practiced in a "akhara", it is much more than just physical activity for the worship of the god Hanuman, the monkey god, is capital.
Today, in Banaras, numerous Akharas have closed their doors. Kushtit is in direct competition with modern lifestyles often far removed from the discipline and hygiene befitting the great wrestler (Pahalwan).