KATHURA / RINDHANA: These Haryana villages in Sonepat district are no different than any average Indian hamlets except that this wheat and sugarcane producing area has provided numerous golden moments to country’s kabaddi legacy over the years.
No wonder the Narwals of Kathura and Rindhana have become synonymous with kabaddi and India’s reign in this rustic sport that now has earned global eyeballs thanks to the enormous success of Pro Kabaddi League, which is in its Season 6 this year.
A whistle-stop tour of Kathura and Rindhana gives you ample fodder to chew on kabaddi, both as a sport and lifestyle of these villagers full of Narwals.
EARLY SUCCESS
From Jagdish Narwal in early 90s who, was part of the team that won Asian Games gold medal in 1990 Beijing Asian Games, to Pardeep and Sandeep Narwal, Kathura and Rindhana are replete with stories about India’s triumphs in kabaddi.
Thanks to PKL, which helped kabaddi players earn unimaginable riches, homes in Kathura and Rindhana have seen a sea of changes over the last six years.
Asian Games successes and triumphs in other international tournaments were proud moments no doubt, but flow of riches was few and far between. An Arjuna Award here and Padmashri on other occasions were reasons that gave families reason to jubilate, and PKL changed all that.
FREE HAND TO PLAY SPORT
“We never put pressure on our children during their school days but when they showed interest in sports—first wrestling and then kabaddi—we left it to them to give shape up their future,” explained Jagdish Narwal, who now is kabaddi coach of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the seniormost gold medallist in the village.
Narwal, interestingly is not a family name, it is gotra these villagers belong to and just as most in Haryana many prefer to be known only by the given name.
Single names are preferred specially because Haryanvis do not like to reveal their family name and in turn gotras, but when it came to making passports for international travel, Narwals were probably the first to identify themselves--otherwise everyone was either Kumar or Singh.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Jagdish made sure we visit at least three families in these two villages whose sons made name in Kabaddi and won medals of India at Asian Games and now busy playing for various franchisee teams in PKL.
Like in any Indian village home, the Narwals were all the more welcoming. More than speaking about their sons and their successes, they were interested in telling and serving us what they grow and eat.
Organic food may be a fashion in cities, but what they grow, cook and eat is more than organic.
“Our sons now travel around the country but they prefer food cooked by their mothers,” said Jagdish Narwal as he directed his wife to lay out freshly made breakfast of ghee-dripping chapatis and fantastic pickle make from a type of gourd.
ROOTED TO FIELDS
“Our sons work in fields too when they are here on break. Hard work is something that they are ready to do anywhere and I am sure they will do well in this season too,” hoped Jagdish, whose octogenarian mother wondered whether her would get into print or not.
“Last time they came with cameras and took some clippings, but I did not see anything on TV,” the old lady said of a news channel reporter, who came calling on Kathura village when her grandson won medal.
To be frank, the food was simple but sumptuous and full of protiens without a dash of non-vegetarian in it.
“We have grown on eating this kind of food. This land gives us everything and see what our sons have done with their skills in kabaddi,” said Jagdish, who are a bit unhappy with the way he was kept out of the selection process in the talent scouting programme conducted ahead of the player’s auction for Season 6.
“In here every child plays kabaddi. We have at least 200 children of equal caliber in just one academy,” he informed.
My son always wanted to do well in sports. I knew he was interested in kabaddi and never stopped him. Now he is very busy with PKL and comes home for a few days and makes sure to meet all who helped make him what he is today.
— Sandeep’s mother
My son loves working in fields. We are farmers and like our way of life, but kabaddi has given us something that I had never imagined would come to us in this life. I am happy that Pardeep is still rooted to our village despite going places.
— Pardeep’s mother
I am totally indebted to Charu Sharma for launching Pro Kabaddi League. I am a farmer and my son was always good at kabaddi and this opening provided by PKL has brought a sea change in our lives.
— Pardeep’s father
Pardeep was not good at studies, but I realised his potential in sports when he was in fifth or sixth standard. He was always brave and used to speak to me about his interest in sports.
— Wazir Singh, (Pardeep Narwal’s coach)
