The Google search engine’s Doodle artwork for today honours the achievements of Ghulam Mohammad Baksh Butt, an Indian wrestler known as ‘The Great Gama’ in the early twentieth century. The Google Doodle, created by artist Vrinda Zaveri, also honours the wrestler’s importance and depiction in Indian culture.
On his 144th birthday, Google honoured the unbeaten Indian wrestler Gama Pehlwan, often known as “The Great Gama,” with a doodle.
Gama Pehlwan was regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Gama got the nickname “The Great Gama” after being unbeaten in international competitions.
Gama Pehlwan’s achievements in the ring, as well as the effect and representation he gave to Indian culture, are honoured in today’s Doodle, drawn by guest artist Vrinda Zaveri.
Traditional wrestling in North India began around the turn of the century. Lower-class and working-class migrants competed in royal gymnasiums, winning expensive tournaments and gaining national recognition. Spectators loved the wrestlers’ physiques and were inspired by their disciplined lifestyles throughout these games.
At the age of ten, Gama’s fitness routine includes 500 lunges and 500 pushups. He won a lunge competition with over 400 wrestlers from across the country in 1888. His victory at the competition made him famous throughout India’s royal realms. He didn’t start wrestling until he was 15 years old. People in India were reading newspapers in 1910 that praised Gama as a national hero and world champion. Gama is also revered as a hero for saving the lives of countless Hindus during India’s 1947 split. He lived the rest of his life in Lahore, which later became part of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, until his death in 1960.
Gama won a number of titles during his career, including the Indian versions of the World Heavyweight Championship (1910) and the World Wrestling Championship (1927), for which he was given the nickname “Tiger.” During his tour to India, the Prince of Wales presented him with a silver mace in honour of the renowned wrestler. Gama’s legacy continues to inspire boxers today. Even Bruce Lee admires Gama’s conditioning and incorporates some of it into his own training regimen!
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The Chenab Times News Desk
