Indian sports at the 1936 Summer Olympics
Traditional sports of India were showcased as an exhibition alongside the 1936 Summer Olympics. It is known that the sports of kabaddi, kho kho and mallakhamba were demonstrated.[1][2] A 35-member contingent from the Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal (HVPM) physical education institute demonstrated the events, and were not considered part of the official Indian team.[1][3] The sports' inclusion was spearheaded by HVPM Vice President Dr. Siddhanath Kane, who successfully lobbied Olympic organizer Carl Diem for permission to exhibit them.[1][4] Indian physical culture practices such as lezim and yoga were also performed.[5]
The sports were not recognized as official demonstration sports by the International Olympic Committee.[6] However, the contingent were awarded an honorary medal by Adolf Hitler, who was said to have been impressed by the displays.[4][7][8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Nag, Utathya (2021-04-21). "Was kabaddi in Olympics? Here's the truth". Olympics.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ Nag, Utathya (2022-04-14). "Kho Kho: History, rules and how to play". Olympics.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ "When a kabaddi team from India left Hitler, Mahatma in awe at 1936 Olympics". Business Standard. 2018-12-02. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ a b Kamath, Amit (2016-10-26). "The forgotten story of kabaddi's tryst with Hitler, the Olympics". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ Ramachandran, Aishwarya (2019). Counterflows of knowledge : the transnational circulation of physical culture practices between India and the West during the early 20th century (Thesis). University of British Columbia. p. 32.
- ^ "Demonstration sports : history at the Olympic Summer Games / The Olympic Studies Centre". Olympic World Library. 2024-01-19. Archived from the original on 2024-01-19. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "85 years after Berlin Olympics, 'Hitler Medal' occupies pride of place at Maha sports institute". The Economic Times. 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ Ayyar, Kamakshi (2015-04-02). "The Dizzying, Acrobatic Sport of Yoga on a Pole". VICE. Retrieved 2024-01-28.