For years, these games have been played in village grounds, in akharas, in spaces shaped by memory and practice rather than stadium lights. They have been carried forward by communities, often without recognition beyond their own circles.
This week, that changes.
At the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games, indigenous sports like Mallakhamb, Silambam, and Kalaripayattu are stepping into a national spotlight, bringing with them the people, histories, and traditions that have sustained them across generations.
Over 3,800 participants from 30 states are competing across nine disciplines over 10 days, making it one of the largest gatherings of tribal sporting talent in the country.
The competition includes athletics, archery, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting and wrestling. Alongside these, traditional disciplines like Mallakhamb and Kabaddi are being showcased as demonstration sports.
But beyond the medals, there’s another layer to the Games — one that shines a light on India’s indigenous sporting traditions.
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Mallakhamb: The wrestler’s pole
Originating in Maharashtra, Mallakhamb is a unique sport where athletes perform yoga-inspired poses on a vertical wooden pole or rope. Historically used to train wrestlers, it combines strength, flexibility, and balance. Today, it sits at the intersection of sport and yogic discipline, gaining renewed attention through platforms like Khelo India.
Mallakhamb athletes train on a wooden pole, building strength, flexibility, and focus. Photograph: (Shutterstock)
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Kalaripayattu: Kerala’s ancient combat system
Often considered one of the world’s oldest martial arts, Kalaripayattu emerged in Kerala and was practised by warrior communities. It blends strikes, kicks, weaponry, and healing techniques. Training traditionally takes place in ‘kalaris’ or sacred arenas that reflect both combat and spirituality.
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Gatka: Punjab’s martial legacy
Rooted in Sikh history, Gatka evolved as a battlefield art. Practitioners use sticks and swords in choreographed movements that emphasise speed, coordination, and discipline. It remains a key part of Sikh festivals, symbolising courage and resilience.
Gatka blends combat practice with rhythm, speed, and control. Photograph: (Shutterstock)
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Thang-Ta: Manipur’s ritual combat
Manipur’s Thang-Ta, which literally means “sword and spear”, is both a martial art and a performance tradition. It combines combat techniques with rhythmic, almost dance-like movements. Historically linked to royal warriors, it also carries ritual and cultural significance.
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Silambam: Tamil Nadu’s fast-paced stick combat art
Practised in Tamil Nadu, Silambam is a dynamic stick-fighting form known for its speed, footwork, and precision. It is believed to have originated among ancient Tamil tribes, who used it for self-defence and survival in forested landscapes.
Silambam showcases swift movements and precise footwork using long bamboo sticks Photograph: (The Hindu)
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Yogasana: From tradition to competition
While yoga is globally recognised, Yogasana transforms it into a competitive discipline. Participants are judged on posture, balance, and control. It reflects how ancient wellness practices are being adapted into modern sport formats.
Why this spotlight matters
Under the Khelo India scheme, these indigenous games have been specifically identified for promotion, with support for training, infrastructure, and coaching. For many of the communities that practise them, these are not just sports. They are living traditions, passed down through generations in villages, akharas, and community spaces.
Yet, for decades, they remained largely outside mainstream sporting narratives.
The Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 changes that, at least in part. By bringing these disciplines to a national platform, it allows audiences to engage with a different idea of sport: one rooted in history, identity, and community knowledge.
Because beyond medals and rankings, these games tell a deeper story of traditions that survived quietly, and are now, finally, being seen.
