The sculptures of grappling and pugilism on Vijayanagara’s monuments reveal the martial character of medieval Deccan. They depict how martial knowledge became an integral aspect of the Deccani courtly culture. What connects these older forms to today’s world of MMA (mixed martial arts)? At our Online Talk #MallayudhaToMMA, researcher and author Kush Dhebar, who has himself learnt different martial arts such as Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, Capoeira, Boxing and Muay Thai and has been involved in the fight industry of present-day India and South Asia, speaks about how martial arts like Mallavidya or Kushti, Pahelwani, Wrestling, Grappling, to use other names, shaped so much of Indian culture and in turn got shaped by the cultural currents of the cosmopolitan and war-ridden medieval world. He attempts to tell the story of India and Deccan from the lens of martial and combat culture and how it has evolved into what it is today.
About the speaker
Kush Dhebar is a researcher, author, and consultant with over a decade of experience across archaeology, academia, and cultural projects. He is currently associated with the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana. He holds a PhD from Deccan College, Pune, on martial art sculptures in Vijayanagara monuments, and has worked across 30+ archaeological sites in India, including excavations and extensive field documentation. He has authored 10 books and received the India Science Book Fellowship, and also works on documentaries, animations, and educational projects that make history engaging and cultural knowledge more relevant.
The following “Terms and Conditions” shall be binding on each participant making a donation hereinafter referred to as (“The Donor”) to Khaki Heritage Foundation hereinafter referred to as (“KHF”) which is a Not For Profit Company Registered under Section 8 of the The Company’s Act, 2013 and having its registered number as U93000MH2018PTC305786 and its registered address at 802 Aster, Dosti Acres, Wadala East, Mumbai – 400037.
Due to a temporary issue on our website, online donations are currently unavailable.
Please support Khaki Heritage Foundation via online bank transfer until the issue is resolved.
Contact khakilab@gmail.com for any information.
Thank you for your patience and generosity.
Team KHAKI
Please read the following terms and conditions very carefully as your use of our service is subject to your acceptance of and compliance with the following terms and conditions (hereinafter referred to as “Terms”).
By subscribing to or using any of our services you agree that you have read, understood and are bound by the Terms, regardless of how you subscribe to or use the services. In these Terms, references to “client”, “guest” shall mean the end user (including individuals, corporates and other bodies) availing tour services by Khaki Tours Private Limited (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”).Reference to the term “host”, “Ambassador of Mumbai” shall refer to the person conducting the tour on behalf of the company.
The Khaki Heritage Foundation needs your help to make heritage a mass movement. Your donations will enable us to create awareness for the city’s heritage and archive and conserve it.