Hunsa village gears up for fisticuffs festival

Nizamabad: Residents of Hunsa village in Bodhan mandal follow the ritual of Pidiguddulata (exchange of blows) every year as part of Holi celebrations. Hunsa village is located on the borders of Telangana and Maharashtra. Village elders say that Hunsa village used to be part of Maharashtra State earlier.

Exchange of blows ritual began near Sagroli in Maharashtra and later spread to Hunsa village. Villagers have been following the tradition for the past 125 years. People living in the border villages arrive in large numbers to witness the traditional fisticuffs festival every year.

Villagers celebrate Holi festival by spraying colours on each other followed by wrestling competitions. Villagers participate in the exchange of blows ritual on the next day of Holi festival. People belonging to all communities in the village arrive at an old panchayat office in a procession by beating drums and playing musical instruments.

A rope is tied across a road near panchayat office. Villagers divide into two groups by standing on either side of the rope and then they exchange blows for about 45 minutes unmindful of injuries. After completion of the ritual, they hug each other. Every year, police officials persuade the villagers to stop the ritual but they fail. Villagers say that they are following ‘fisticuffs’ festival for the unity and prosperity of the village.