Jetties participates in Vajramusti kalaga (Fierce mode of wrestling) at the Savari Thotti, the courtyard in the Mysore palace on October 3, 2014, to mark vijayadashami. Usually the event takes place in the morning but it held today during ‘Godhooli lagna’ in the evening as both Navami and Dashami appeared on same day, as per Mysore Palace Calender. The Vajramusti refers to a knuckleduster- like weapon, usually made of ivory or buffalo horn.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ENARADA, Mysore, October 3, 2014
A dying martial art form needs the support of the society to keep it going.
Once famous and now reduced to just ritual, an unique sport played only in Mysore Palace during Dasara festivities, Vajramusti Kalaga, needs immediate patronage to survive, according to jetties who participated in today’s fight.
“I am struck with little happiness but more of grief today,” said, Madhava Jetty, one among four jetties who participated in the Vajramusti Kalaga. “I am happy to get a chance to participate in it but unhappy that King is not there to witness our fight,” Madhav jetty said. Speaking to Enarada.com, soon after the game ended, Madhava Jetty said the game was famous as kings used to patronise Jetty community and without a king their art may die due to lack of support.
Madhava Jetty from Mysore region fought against Subhash Jetty from Channapatna. Mahesh Jetty from Chamaraja Nagara and Vasudeva Jetty from Bengaluru fought each other. All the four jetties expressed concern about their vanishing art form and demanded a patronise from the Government and society, to keep the tradition alive.
