Kushti the traditional Indian style of wrestling is a dying sport. The Gardimane or the houses where it is practiced basically consists of a deep mud pit with a fully enclosed walls around it. The red colour of the mud and the dark settings make the wrestlers sweat profusely. Interestingly the social dynamics of the traditional Kushti is as unique as the sport itself. The wrestlers mostly who have a troublesome childhood mainly hailing from very poor families where the families do not have the means to feed another child. These young boys troubled with their families financial crisis, dream of a big city and better livelihood and they land up into the Garadimane which is normally run by an old wrestler who had his day at the sport. The wrestler takes a lot of these young destitute children under his tutelage and they live in the Garadimane assisting in the daily chores. Most often these Garadimane are run on paltry financial support through patrons of the old sport and are able to scape through with just food and shelter. 

 

Shot on a personal assignment:

Equipment 

Canon 1DX 24-70mm

Profoto B1 with Translucent umbrella XL

Location: North Karnataka