MALAKPUR AKHARA – EARTHMADE GYMNASIUM

SITE AREA 77,300 SQFT FOOTPRINT AREA 59,350 SQFT LOCATION MALAKPUR, UTTAR PRADESH

Traditional folk wrestling (kushti) and team tackle (kabaddi) in the region are deeply tied to the land, evident in the ritualized preparation of the akhara. Guided by their guru, wrestlers (pehalwans) soften the soil with milk and butter for training.

With modern wrestling requiring mats, traditional akharas are becoming obsolete, disrupting cultural continuity. The Earthmade Gymnasium modernizes these spaces by integrating labor-intensive alternative technologies and engaging pehalwans in their application. This approach empowers them to replicate akharas across the region, preserving tradition while embracing modernity.