At the age of 18, Patil left his village to train in akhara on the way to Arthur in Mumbai. Life in akhara must follow the regime. Drinking, smoking and sometimes, sex are also prohibited on the path to purity, physical beauty, and health. Inside the shabby building is the aura of hardship and dedication. All the chaos of division in Indian society is left outside the door. “Here, no one cares whether you are a Hindu or a Muslim or what class you belong to. If there is anything to worship, that’s the body,” Patil said.
Floors are prepared according to a special formula for centuries including mud water, red soil, dairy, and oil. All mixed up into a thick, soft thing like red yellow crumbs. On it, wrestlers perform exercises. They practiced hanging people on ropes, squeezing, yoga and lifting weights or stones. Patil’s proudest achievement is the gold medal at the 2015 national level tournament. This event disturbs his peaceful village. However, Kushti wrestlers do not dream too much about medals and international tournaments. They bring their worldly dreams that success with Kushti will help them get a job in government.
The Indian government spends certain jobs for those who have made a mark in sports. This is an effort to encourage the development of athletic capacity with financial promise. This does not mean that Kushti wrestlers are fully assured of work. Patil is a graduate student in science but is working as a security guard. You are trying to achieve something better.
The work made Patil only able to train in the early morning and late evening. He loved Kushti but was also aware that Kushti was dying all over India. Kushti is gradually being replaced by more contemporary wrestling forms. “I am very happy that I can do what my father and grandfather cannot do just because they were poor.”
