In recognition of his lifelong dedication to the traditional Indian sport of Mallakhamb, Shri Uday Vishwanath Deshpande of Maharashtra has been honoured with the Padma Shri in the field of Sports. Often hailed as the “Pitamah of Mallakhamb,” Deshpande has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting this ancient art form both in India and abroad.
Born in 1953, Uday Deshpande has spent over five decades as a coach, researcher, and advocate for Mallakhamb—a unique sport blending elements of yoga and gymnastics performed on a vertical wooden pole or rope. As the Chief Coach at Samarth Vyayam Mandir in Dadar, Mumbai, he has trained thousands of students and helped open over 100 Mallakhamb training centres across India.
His tireless efforts led to the international recognition of Mallakhamb, with demonstrations and training sessions conducted in more than 50 countries. He also authored the sport’s first official rulebook, which has been adopted for national and international competitions. Through the Vishwa Mallakhamb Federation, Deshpande has helped institutionalize the sport globally.
Deshpande’s work emphasizes inclusivity—training orphans, differently-abled children, women, and senior citizens, and promoting Mallakhamb as an affordable, effective form of physical and mental discipline.
Reacting to the Padma Shri announcement, Deshpande said: “This award is not just mine. It belongs to all the practitioners, coaches, and students who believe in the power and grace of Mallakhamb.”
This national honor affirms Shri Uday Deshpande’s remarkable legacy as a custodian of Indian heritage and a pioneer in transforming a traditional sport into a global movement.
