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It originated in Maharashtra around 200 years ago. Guru Balambhattdada Deodhar is referred to as the founder of Mallakhamb. The earliest mention of Mallakhamb can be traced back to the 11th century in the form of sculpturer at Brihadeesarar temple built by Rajendra Chola, completed in 1035 AD. In the later period it is mentioned in the classic “MANASOLHAS” (1135 A.D.) For about seven centuries the art form remained dormant until it was given a new lease of life by BALAMBHATDADA DEODHAR the renowned teacher of PESHWA BAJIRAO - II during the first half of the 19th century.
However, competitive Mallakhamb at the National level first made its appearance at the National Gymnastics Championships held at the Pahadganj Stadium , New Delhi, in the year 1958. It was here that the Gymnastic Federation of India proposed to recognize the game and included it in subsequent National Gymnastic Championships.
The first National Mallakhamb Championship was held at Gwalior, M.P. in the year 1962, at part of the National Gymnastics Championships. However, in the year 1968-69 , the game was introduced in the All India Inter University Gymnastic Championships in an official competition of AIU New Delhi. They were continuously organized National Mallakhamb Championships by G.F.I. until 1976. In 1977, the game of Mallakhamb was disassociated from G.F.I. and recognized National Mallakhamb Championships were not held till 1980..
Mr.Rakesh & Mr.Rajesh Shrivastava, Dr.Bamshankar Joshi and some other Mallakhamb enthusiasts at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh constituted an All India level Association on 21.11.1980, which was later called as the “Mallakhamb Federation of India” The first All India Invitational National Mallakhamb Championship was organized by this federation from 27th to 29th January 1981 at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
The event brought in representatives from all over India, who participated In these Championships and together they officially formed the “Mallakhamb Federation of India” on 29th January 1981 to till year and date. Mallakhmab Federation was registered under society act on 07 January, 1984 at Ujjain (MP). . Since then, the Narional Mallakhamb Championships are being organized by different State Associations Affiliated to this Federation.
First National School games in Mallakhamb was organized from 05-08 December, 2008 during National School Games Competition at Warananagar, Kohlapur (M.S.) in age group of U/19 years. First world Championship was held at Mumbai (India) from 16-17 Feburary, 2019. First ESEB Mallakhamb Competition was held at HVPM, Amravati (M.S) from 19-20 December, 2019. The Mallakham was introduced first time during 3rd Khelo India Youth games-2020 at Gowhati (Assam) as a demonstration event.
Mr. Yogesh Malviya from Ujjain (M.P.) was awarded Dronacharya Award first time in the game of Mallakhamb in 2021 by President, GOI. The 4th Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) was held first time in Mallakhamb from 08/06/2022 to 12/06/2022 Panchkula (Haryana).The competition on Pole Mallakhamb was held first time for U/18 Girls during 4th Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) was held in Mallakhamb from 08/06/2022 to 12/06/2022. The Mallakhamb was first time organized at Ahemdabad (Gujrat) during 36th National Games from 07/10/2022 to 11/10/2022. The Khelo India University Games -2021 Mallakhamb was organized first time by Jain University, Bangalore (Karnataka) from 24/04/2022 to 03/05/2022.
Mallakhamb competitions cover three varieties of Mallakhamb Apparatus i.e. 1. Pole Mallakhamb, 2. Hanging Mallakhamb, 3,Rope Mallakhamb-
Pole Mallakhamb -It is a vertical pole fixed in the ground. Generally teak wood or Sesame (a type of rose wood) is commonly used because of its physical properties such as toughness and soft surface. Castor oil is applied to its surface in order to reduce the friction and minimize the injuries. Generally it is 10 to 12 feet high above the ground level. It has got a diameter of 5 to 6 inches at the bottom and 1.5 to 2 inches at the top.
Hanging Mallakhamb -It is a small version of the fixed Mallakhamb and is generally used for balancing exercises. The wooden pole is suspended with the help of a hook and chain. The degree of difficulty while performing this exercise is due to its swinging and revolving motion. The fill body has to be kept very close to this Mallakhamb. It is hanged at the height of 3.5 to 4 feet above the ground.
Rope Mallakhamb -It is a different type of Mallakhamb from those mentioned above and is a modernized version of the c ane Mallakhamb. The structural difference between the above 2 and the Rope Mallakhamb is noteworthy. The Rope Mallakhamb is an answer to the modern day problems like space and transportation. Various Yogic and Gymnastic positions are performed gracefully o n the rope Mallakhamb and that to without tying literal knots to the rope.