Indian sports at the 1936 Summer Olympics

Unofficial demonstration of pre-colonial sports

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

  1. ^ a b c Nag, Utathya (2021-04-21). "Was kabaddi in Olympics? Here's the truth". Olympics.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  2. ^ Nag, Utathya (2022-04-14). "Kho Kho: History, rules and how to play". Olympics.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  3. ^ "When a kabaddi team from India left Hitler, Mahatma in awe at 1936 Olympics". Business Standard. 2018-12-02. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  4. ^ a b Kamath, Amit (2016-10-26). "The forgotten story of kabaddi's tryst with Hitler, the Olympics". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ Ayyar, Kamakshi (2015-04-02). "The Dizzying, Acrobatic Sport of Yoga on a Pole". VICE. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
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