A Victory Of Sorts ( Part -2)

The moonchads prepared the field using chuna . A big welcome sign was also crafted for both the teams using rangoli colors. Temporary Bamboo sticks were placed at each corner of the field; coir ropes – fashioned into intricate patterns- connected each of these bamboo pillars . Moonchads’ creativity had transformed the barren field to an arena worthy of hosting national level matches, or at least that’s what it seemed like to these novice eyes. The excitement amongst the audience set the air humming with energy.
“I must say you really are good at these things.” This was the first time Anim ,the sandhas’ group leader , had ever complimented the moonchads.
For moonchads , the biggest challenge would be to understand rules from their fellow players and keep up with the game . The sandhas ,on the other hand, would have to learn how to lead an untrained team to victory. Their teams would no longer consist of players who knew each other’s moves as thoroughly as the rhythm of their own breath . No, their ranks would now have moonchads and (for better or for worse ) all the chaos they were going to bring with them. The match was going to be interesting, at the very least.
Heads of both the groups came to a decision that there would be a quick test to assess the agility and physical strength of the moonchads; top twelve members who aced it would be selected for the match. Within the next 30 minutes , the audience cheered the moonchads who were selected to play in this unprecedented match. Sandhas took over the podium to quickly explain the rules of the game . Then, Appu built two teams each consisting of 12 participants with 6 sandhas and 6 moonchad players. The remaining group members excitedly joined the audience.
The commotion drew strangers who were walking by closer, but the beautiful arena and the inescapable enthusiasm in the air made them stay. The small school audience had now become a roaring crowd. The spectators behind the ropes started cheering for the group they had decided to pledge their allegiance to. Very soon, bets were being placed.
No one had expected a chill breeze to be there on a Friday in the middle of May, but it had come all the same ; as if drawn by the importance of this day. Albeit a welcome guest, the breeze did little to soothe the heat and adrenaline bursting through the Kabaddi players.
“I respect your group’s hard work and courage to jump into an unknown game.” complimented Anim.
“This is my group’s speciality; our creative minds help us think fast and adapt to our surroundings quickly, ” said Appu.
A small table was placed near the kabaddi field, where all the required items like water, glucose powder, snacks etc were placed ; below the table , the participants had placed their chappals.
Appu and Anim were on rival teams. The spotlight was not on Appu though , but his team member Manu ( a sandha player). The whispers in the air claimed that he was certainly as good a player as Anim. It was clear that both of them were the best players in school and whichever team the duo would play on was guaranteed to win. But now, the match was going to be cutthroat as Manu and Anim stood on opposite sides.
Seven from each team entered the field after paying respect to the bhumi. The remaining ten players sat on the ground in the periphery, sandwiched between the field and the boundary represented by the coir rope. The referee selected was our very own Bhaskar, who had bought a shining black seeti (whistle) especially for this game.
The game started with a shriek from Bhaskar’s whistle . Anim’s group was the first to raid. Skeptical of moonchad players’ abilities , Anim sent a fellow sandha (Som) for the raid and asked the moonchads on his team to analyse his moves carefully. Som was the kind of player who would last long in a game, and Anim used this fact to his advantage.
“See that he touched the baulk; if you do it your raid is valid”, informed Anim.
“Eeeeii Bonus chhoon…bonus chhoon, jaldi” , shouted Anim turning to Som.
“Bonus gives an extra point,” another Sandha player reminded his fellow moonchads.
“Usko chhoon left ko…akela hai…”
(Som touches moving towards Manu before returning to midline now a bit overconfident)
“…..offence nahi, offence nahi…”, warns Anim.
(Manu grabs Som’s leg towards himself and let other teammates invade)
“Arre yaar (Som is out)…Som. Mana kiya tha Manu ke samne offence trick mat karna” grunted Anim , slightly annoyed at the turn of events. But the game had just started, they could still win this. He turned back to his team, ready to guide them to the best of his ability.
“See, Manu is a good defender. Try to stay away from him while taking points.” advised Anim
The game went on; when the both teams were confident that the moonchadshave learnt some tips and tricks, they started sending them to raid. Until then , the sandhas were defending the moonchads on their respective teams.
Appu (from Manu’s team) went to raid. During his chase, he was hit by a sandha which left a mark on his collar bone. He crashed to the ground, his elbows taking the brunt of the fall. Both the groups started shouting at each other , arguing whether it was a penalty or not. No one (apart from Appu) seemed to notice how sandhas and moochads were united now in their goal to defend their respective Kabaddi teams ; an effortless camaraderie among team members shining through the arena as if it had been there since years.
For the first time, a sandha (Manu) was fighting with another sandha (Anim) for a moonchad (Appu). Manu asked Appu if he was hurt , then ordered his fellow teammates to escort Appu out of the Kabaddi court and give him medication if required.
“This is it!”, Appu cheered to himself , giving little thought to the dull ache radiating from his clavicle.
“Yahi toh main chahta tha.”
By the end of the game , the rivalry between the sandhas and the moonchads was long forgotten.
Who won?
Doesn’t matter!