Prem Singh (Kekar Singh Pehlwan): Oral History, Local Memory, and the Cultural Heritage of Punjabi Pehlwani

Traditional wrestling has occupied an important place in the social and cultural history of the Punjab region for centuries. Known as Pehlwani, this indigenous wrestling tradition developed through the interaction of ancient Indian physical culture and later Persian influences, eventually becoming one of South Asia's most respected systems of traditional wrestling. More than a competitive sport, Pehlwani functioned as a comprehensive institution for physical education, moral discipline, and community leadership. Historically, Punjabi villages maintained akharas (traditional wrestling schools), where young men received systematic training in strength, endurance, discipline, and ethical conduct. Wrestlers were expected not only to demonstrate physical superiority but also to embody humility, honesty, generosity, and respect for their communities. Successful wrestlers often became local leaders whose reputations extended far beyond athletic achievement. Although The Great Gama (Ghulam Mohammad Baksh Butt) has received considerable international attention for his extraordinary undefeated career and legendary physical conditioning, numerous regional wrestlers also played essential roles in preserving and transmitting the Pehlwani tradition. Among these figures, Prem Singh, better known as Kekar Singh Pehlwan, occupies a distinctive place within the oral history of Punjab. Unlike Gama, whose achievements were widely documented through newspapers and sporting records, Kekar Singh survives primarily through community memory, oral narratives, and local historical accounts. Stories describing his extraordinary physical strength, moral character, and wrestling ability continue to be passed from generation to generation in villages surrounding Amritsar and the Attari region. Such narratives represent valuable examples of intangible cultural heritage because they preserve local identity, historical memory, and traditional values even in the absence of extensive written documentation. This study therefore shifts attention from internationally celebrated champions toward the local communities that sustained Punjabi wrestling culture. By examining the life of Prem Singh (Kekar Singh Pehlwan), the historical environment of traditional Punjabi wrestling, and the later achievements of The Great Gama, this paper seeks to demonstrate how village wrestlers contributed to the continuity of one of South Asia's oldest living martial traditions. Rather than viewing Pehlwani solely as a form of athletic competition, this research interprets it as a cultural institution that integrated physical training, ethical education, folklore, and community cohesion. Through historical sources, oral traditions, and documented accounts of famous wrestlers, the study contributes to a broader understanding of Punjabi wrestling as an important component of the intangible cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent. INSF Traditional Wrestling Research Project Published by the International Northern Ssireum Federation INSF Academic Series Volume 9 Project Framework This paper was prepared as part of the INSF Traditional Wrestling Research Project, an international research initiative coordinated by the International Northern Ssireum Federation (INSF). The project promotes the documentation, preservation, and comparative study of indigenous wrestling traditions and warrior cultures from participating countries. National advisors and collaborating researchers contribute country-specific research within the framework of this international academic initiative.