Mysuru: It is a matter of pride for Mysuru as Nada Kusti (wrestling), a part of the city’s heritage has been featured on the cover page of an international publication, ‘Beyond the Body’, with 183 black-and-white pictures by renowned Polish photographer Tomasz Gudzowaty that document traditional games that are fading into oblivion.

Taken in Mysure under low-light conditions inside a traditional gym called ‘Garadi’, the cover page features two Mysuru-based wrestlers preparing for a bout, covered in mud. The book has been edited by Nan Goldin, a well-known American photo journalist.

Background of event captured:

The pictures were an outcome of an online article on the traditional wrestling by the city-based sports journalist C.K. Muralidharan on his website www.mysoresport.com which grabbed the attention of the sport and made him come here 10 years ago. Muralidharan is also an executive in the public sector BEML.

The wrestlers featured are Shankar Chakravarthy (winner of the former Dasara Kesari State-level competition for three successive years, who is now employed with the City Armed Reserve Police) and Vinod (a former Mysore University wrestler now pursuing master’s in Physical Education.)

Accompanied by veteran wrestling coach Manjappa, Tomasz did the bulk of his shooting at the Gopalaswamy Garadi here.
Incidentally, the photography series on Nada Kusti was featured in the sports category of the World Press Contest in Amsterdam, and won the 3rd prize.