Onathallu, an indigenous form of wrestling, invigorated the Onam celebrations at Kunnamkulam.
More than 60 pairs participated in the Onathallu, also known as ‘Kayyankali’ or ‘Onappeda’ organised by the Popular Arts and Sports Centre, Kunnamkulam, on Saturday and Sunday.
Folk style
Onathallu is a friendly folk-style wrestling. This bare-handed fighting is one of the traditional games of Onam in the district.
The Popular Arts and Sports Centre has been organising the Onathallu for the last few years to preserve this tradition, said Venu, one of the organisers.
There is no winner or loser in the game. The audience will judge the event. One by one, each pair will lock horns in front of the viewers who thronged the Jawahar stadium. Both participants will get an Onakkodi.
Onathallu lacks any hard and fast rules like other martial art forms. It blends machismo, spirit of youth and rural simplicity.
Most of the wrestlers from Varavur, near Wadakkanchery, a village popular for its fighters, are Muslims. It shows the secular factor of the Onam celebrations, noted Murali of Sree Kerala Varma Club.
Wrestlers, many of whom are employed in the Gulf, come only to participate in the Onathallu. There is no prize or gain, but they participate for the fame. Onathallu participants will be respected and feared by everyone one in village, Mr. Murali pointed out.
Stories of gallantry of Onathallu masters such as Vettikkattiri Mammi, Painkulam Kunjanthu, Varavur Syaed Ali, Kavassery Kuttan Nair, Edathara Velayudan are popular in the area.
Sometimes at the peak of spirit, the fights will go out of hand. There will be referees to control the game. Vettikkattiri Vappanu and Thazhapra Moidu controlled the game as referees this time.
Onlookers cheered as the wresters grappled each other. Sweat tricked down their faces. .
Babu M. Pallissery MLA inaugurated the event. The celebrations kick started with Kalari performance of members from V.K.M Karalui sangam, Aruvayi.
