Director Mari Selvaraj's recent film *Bison Kaalamaadan* has brought renewed attention to the inspiring journey of veteran kabaddi players, particularly highlighting the achievements of S. Rajarathinam, the first kabaddi player from Tamil Nadu to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award.
While the film vividly portrays the experiences of Manathi Ganesan, one of two kabaddi players to receive the Arjuna Award, it also captures the fiery spirit and dedication of Rajarathinam, who captained the Indian team to a historic gold medal victory over Pakistan at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan.
A native of Ganapathipuram in Kanniyakumari district, a renowned hub for kabaddi, Rajarathinam developed his passion for the sport during his school days at A.V.D Higher Secondary School. "My interest in kabaddi developed after watching my brothers and other players from my village, as it has produced many kabaddi players who secured government jobs through their achievements in the 1980s," he recalled.
Initially viewing kabaddi as a pathway to government employment a common motivation among players of that era Rajarathinam joined the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board team at age 18. This was followed by a position at the Integral Coach Factory in 1984. He captained the Tamil Nadu kabaddi team from 1980-84 and later represented Indian Railways from 1984-93.
The turning point in his career came when India won its first kabaddi gold medal at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, China. Discussing the 1994 Asian Games, Rajarathinam revealed that three Tamil players, including himself, Ganesan from Thoothukudi, and Baskaran from Thanjavur, were on the team.
The film accurately depicts the arguments between sports authorities and players that preceded the crucial rematch with Pakistan. "As I had faith in my teammates and was confident that we would win, I agreed to a rematch with Pakistan," Rajarathinam stated, reflecting the pivotal scene portrayed in the movie where the confident captain assures officials of India's victory.
Addressing the current state of kabaddi, Rajarathinam emphasized the need for government support across all sports in Tamil Nadu, ensuring job opportunities for deserving athletes. He noted that while Tamil Nadu once dominated kabaddi, players from Haryana now have the advantage in national and league competitions.
"Other than trophies and medals, monetary benefits are crucial. They motivate a player from a marginalised background to pursue his passion," he explained. Rajarathinam urged the Tamil Nadu government to revive and strengthen the sports quota system for employment, arguing that job security provides the foundation necessary for athletes to excel.
"Many players like me, who reached great heights in kabaddi, first took up the sport to secure a government job. Once that foundation is laid, the rest naturally follows," he concluded, highlighting the socioeconomic realities that continue to shape Indian sports participation.
