Mallakhamb Guru
Mr. Uday Deshpande Bestowed with Prestigious Padma Shri Award!
Impact of the work
Uday Deshpande introduced the magic of Mallakhamb, the health and fitness benefits of traditional Indian physical practice to millions around the world.
Gift of Mallakhamb
Mallakhamb once upon a time tagged as the ‘game of the poor’ is now promoted by many States, Government of India and has reached international acclaim.
Training the trainers
He trained several teachers, who reached several others simultaneously, speeding up the process of health gains. This ensured continuity in honorary service to the society.
Breaking Barriers
He conducted several Mallakhamb demonstrations with workshops, describing its health benefits, breaking barriers of urban-rural, normal-challenged, young-old, and bringing everyone together on the exercise ground.
Community Outreach
Mallakhamb workshops across India for marginalized Adivasis and Vanvasis gave them good health and a sense of achievement. Today, Uday Deshpande is the chief coach of JSW Projects and trains teachers from 50 tribal schools.
Immeasurable Contribution
The number of Mallakhamb Centres grew from a few to thousands in 50 years in all Districts in Maharashtra and States in India. Crossing the borders, Mallakhamb has reached to 6 continents, 48 countries, and 5000 foreign nationals.
Reaching Unreached
He took Mallakhamb to the doorstep of orphans, delinquents, differently-abled, and visually challenged, enriching their quality of life. Aggression was channelized. The courage, confidence, and improved self-esteem, helped several such students scale the heights of success.
Social Commitment
Thousands of students, their parents, elderly got an opportunity to climb, swing, suspend…., the movements generally denied by the modern environment, yet enjoyed. Exercising the spine around Mallakhamb, the key to health promoted a healthy lifestyle, and improved community health.
Gender Equality
He brought women into exercise ethos. Introduced Pole Mallakhamb for girls. In a society where males are exclusively privileged to experience outdoor play, female participation in Mallakhamb increased. Entire families came to the exercise culture improving strength, stamina and attention. He promoted Gender Equality
National Pride
Western exercise systems with expensive equipment and large space, were considered to be the best form of workout. Uday Deshpande highlighted the benefits of exercising on one pole/rope. He took rich Indian physical culture traditions to the youth and developed a sense of national pride in them.
Education pedagogy
He created a body of knowledge through extensive writing, translated into several Indian and foreign languages. He encouraged research and designed Teachers’ Training Courses for the rapid spread of expertise. His meticulous documentation has created a body of knowledge ensuring it will be available for posterity.