Mallakhamb for the little angels

One might wonder, what is the need to report the commencement of another extra-curricular activity class in today’s scenario, where children are already exposed to so many kinds of courses ranging from embroidery, to personality development.

However, Mrs. Sheetal N. Rayathatha has not started just another course for children but has initiated a course on Mallakhamb i.e. rope and pole gymnastics for children of age four to seven.

How did she come up with this idea of rope and pole gymnastics? She proudly says she got the inspiration from a Bollywood movie ‘Kisna’ and wanted to learn the art herself.

When she wanted to introduce the course at an activity centre in Chennai, she contacted The Mallakhamb Federation of India, stationed in Mumbai to make arrangements for an instructor. Immediately, Mr. Ramachandran was appointed as the instructor for children at Little Angels (Habbibullah Road, T.Nagar) by the Tamilnadu Mallakhamb Association.

Although she failed to learn this long-forgotten art of gymnastics for herself, she is giving today’s generation, who are mostly couch potatoes, a wonderful opportunity to discover the things they can do with their bodies along with poles and ropes.

Mrs. Sheetal conducts Mallakhamb classes once a week on Thursdays from 4.30pm to 6pm. She also plans to conduct demo classes and competitions at regular intervals of three months at public places like parks, inviting parents and friends to publicize this art of gymnastics and revive the culture and tradition.

Sheetal Rayathatha can be reached on phone number – 98400 91290

Saniya Surana

Saniya joined the Team YOCee as Student Reporter for the year 2007 – 08. She continues to report for YOCee since then.

Saniya is a student of Padma Seshadri Bal Bhavan, Nungambakkam branch. She has a concern for the world around her. Protection of environment and making young people aware of the benefits of green and pollution-free environment is her mission. She writes on her blog – http://aspireblog.wordpress.com/