Freestyle Football

Most footballers play their sport on a 105 by 68 meters grass field; Aarish Ansari performs his art on his own body – he is a ‘football freestyler’. Unlike Ronaldo and Messi, Aarish is not bound by any rules, freestyle football is all about creativity. ‘People say it is the art of liberating one’s thoughts using football, adding zest to it by performing a few tricks’, says Billy Wingrove, a veteran of the artform. Seven years of experience were evident when he began his sublime routine. Mesmerized faces looked on as the ball effortlessly glided across his body; the audience watched in awe as he juggled the ball on his feet while lying down. To wrap up his performance, he arranged an impromptu freestyle competition, where the winners received football themed memorabilia.

Most footballers play their sport on a 105 by 68 meters grass field; Aarish Ansari performs his art on his own body – he is a ‘football freestyler’. Unlike Ronaldo and Messi, Aarish is not bound by any rules, freestyle football is all about creativity. ‘People say it is the art of liberating one’s thoughts using football, adding zest to it by performing a few tricks’, says Billy Wingrove, a veteran of the artform. Seven years of experience were evident when he began his sublime routine. Mesmerized faces looked on as the ball effortlessly glided across his body; the audience watched in awe as he juggled the ball on his feet while lying down. To wrap up his performance, he arranged an impromptu freestyle competition, where the winners received football themed memorabilia.

Punjabi Gatka

Gatka is a traditional martial art form associated with Sikhism. It is a form of combat-training in which wooden sticks are used to simulate swords in sparring matches. The Department of Live Events organised a Gatka demonstration that took place in the Rotunda. Daler Khalsa, a Gatka group that has previously featured in ‘India’s Got Talent’ and other similar shows, displayed their art in front of a packed audience. An awed silence filled the Rotunda as the group pulled off feat after remarkable feat. These included sparring with a variety of swords, along with thrilling displays of physical strength like breaking tube lights and ice blocks on their chests and heads. All in all, it was an engaging display of indigenous talent.