Kikkar Pehlwan — the lion killer ID Shukla KIKKAR Pehlwan was a favorite of the elders and an icon for the youngsters of Dera Dhian Singh. He came from a large family of prosperous and hard working farmers. Instead of lending a hand on the farm he spent most of his time at the village “akhara”. In hot and sultry summer months, he, along with Mithoo, a boy from a poor family, would go to Himachal Pradesh to participate in open tournaments called ‘Dangals’. Wrestling, those days, was a popular sport in rural Himachal. Villagers collectively wagered on popular wrestlers and honored the winners with prizes in cash and kind. Year after year, this duo from the Punjab invariably returned loaded with canisters of ghee and sacks full of almonds, the preferred diet of the wrestling community. Once during such a sojourn they were walking through a thicket on their way to another village. He noticed his friend suddenly turning dumb and death pale. On looking around he noticed a full-grown lion intently looking at them. Having sensed the danger, the scared boy increased his pace in a prelude to running. The lion appeared resolute but in no hurry. It was slouching towards the boys a little faster. Thinking at a lightning speed, Kikkar perceived the situation and made up his mind. He stood there as if rooted to the ground and waited. His friend in the mean time had slinked away. The beast, having come closer, stopped a step away from Kikkar. Giving him a cool inspecting look, and finding him tall, the lion shifted balance on its hind legs. The man, ready and alert, anticipating its first move, ducked and received the lions slap on the back of his shoulder. With the reflexes perfected during his long wrestling practice, he took the lion in the vice like grip of his long arms. Having lost its foothold, the lion tried to free itself. The more it struggled, tighter turned the grip. Locked in a deadly embrace, they fell on the ground and started rolling down the slope alternately coming under each other. This veteran of many a tournament was locked in a bout never experienced before. Rolling down the prickly slope, both man and beast suffered grievous injuries. They finally came to rest in a shallow freshwater pool where he succeeded in pinning down the animal and forcing its head under water. Bruised, wounded and exhausted, he had no choice but to keep fighting. Ultimately the lions strength started giving way. With one last press Kikkar did it in. By this time, a little crowd had gathered around watching this strange bout in awe. After the lion was dead, the man too weak to speak, signalled the onlookers to come and help him out of the ditch. He was carried on a makeshift stretcher to the local physician where he was washed clean and bandaged with medicinal decoctions. Instantaneously, he earned the sobriquet ‘Lion Killer’. The news, riding the wings of air, reached the Maharaja. Royal ambulance carried him to the state hospital where he was given a heros welcome. He had suffered multiple fractures. The doctors later confirmed that the animal also had suffered spinal fractures. He was lionised for this incredible act of courage and sanctioned a decent pension by the state. Kikkar never fought a bout again but lived long enough to teach the young wrestlers the virtues of courage. The legend of the lion killer will live forever in the annals of oral history of rural Punjab.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:27:44 +0000