Coach Uday Deshpande: Nitin Desai had a vision for mallakhamb

Nitin Desai and Coach Uday Deshpande

Art director Nitin Desai, who died allegedly by suicide at his studio in Karjat, visited Shivaji Park on occasion. This was familiar turf for the celebrated artiste, he helmed set designs for certain projects and celebrations held on the ground. "Desai had a vision for mallakhamb too," said mallakhamb coach Uday Deshpande of Shree Samarth Vyayam Mandir at the iconic space. "I recall nearly a decade ago, Desai had visited our mallakhamb training place."

Deshpande stated, "I found him supportive of our students, he helped with words of encouragement and some financial support too. What do youngsters need? A gentle but effective nudge like that in the right direction does a lot for them."

Deshpande stated that talking to Desai he learnt that he was well informed. "He did not simply come into the place aimlessly. He did have knowledge about traditional, indigenous sport stemming, I think from his interest in Indian philosophy. I sensed passion and zeal too."

Today, mallakhamb as a sport has become quite the globe trotter, travelling to Germany, Reunion Island, Bhutan, USA, Croatia, Japan and many other places. "Desai too wanted to see the sport transcend borders, and said this was the way ahead for mallakhamb," recalled Deshpande. "At that meeting, we discussed about how to promote mallakhamb, and Desai was convinced that television was the ideal platform and would be a good vehicle to promote the sport. As art director who designed so many sets, he was convinced that mallakhamb would get a further fillip if the demonstrations were done in an aesthetic studio. A well-designed backdrop he thought, enhances the visibility of what is already an eye-catching sport: yoga on a rope or pole, which is the essence of mallakhamb."

Deshpande said there were several reasons these dreams did not fructify till date. "Desai was busy with several projects at that time. Then, there was COVID that proved to be a setback, all activity ground to a halt. I could sense though that he had vision and there was genuine interest and intent."

Deshpande stated he had met Desai on several other occasions too. "I was always struck with this self-made person. He had no legacy, no godfather as such, he was successful beginning from scratch. As he climbed the ladder, he got acquainted with so many powerful and famous persons, some from politics, the film industry. Not once did I hear him namedrop or use ‘connections' to impress, even in conversation. I am shocked and saddened like most to hear of his demise. Rest in Peace Mr Desai, you taught us that home grown, humble sport shorn of glitzy marketing can also be given wings to fly when one has belief," signed off the coach as tribute.