Bhausaheb Ranade Mallakhamb Competition
Mallakhamba or mallakhamb is a traditional sport, originating from the Indian subcontinent, in which a gymnast performs aerial yoga or gymnastic postures and wrestling grips in concert with a vertical stationary or hanging wooden pole, cane, or rope. The word "mallakhamb" also refers to the pole used in the sport. The pole is usually made from sheesham (Indian rosewood) polished with castor oil. Three popular versions of mallakhamb are practiced using a sheesham pole, cane, or rope. The origins of pole dancing can be traced back to the sport of mallakhamb. The name mallakhamb derives from the terms malla, meaning wrestler, and khamb, which means a pole.
Competitively, there are several versions but three variations of mallakhamb sport are in practice since 1937:
1. Pole mallakhamb
2. Hanging mallakhamb
3. Rope mallakhamb
