MALLAVA PORA

In india "Mushti"= fist "Yuddhe"=Conflict, and Fist fighters Were termed "mushti Yuddham" "All-in" fighting akin to the "Pankrateon" of the ancient of the ancient Greeks Was practiced and Comprised "Guti Haramba" or hitting, and "Pora Haramba" or grappling, a Science Practiced even today Among the Telegu Jettis. It was originally termed "Naki na Gusti" or tiger- claw combat, Which name is derived from the iron cestus armed With four tiger clawlike blades. When this was later replaced by a spiked Weapon of Buffalo horn Which Was thought to resemble the "Vajira" or thunderbolt held in the hand oh certain gods, the sport came to be termed "Vajira Mushti", signifying "The fist armed With a thunderbolt". This Science Combining hitting With wrestling has continued in to Modern times in India, Where displays are staged by the Telegu Jettis, especially in the court of the late Gaekwar of barda. Wrestling also developed as a distinct Science, and the original erena of hard ground Which was termed the "Malla Bhumi" or "Pora Bhumi" Was replaced by the Wrestling pit termed "Akavala" or "Akada". This pit about 25feet in diameter, 3 feet deep, filled With crumbled Earth. extracted from termite mounds mixed With sesmum oil to render it soft yielding and antiseptic. Fresh oil is sprinkled at intervals until in course of time the earth becomes Sterilized so that when it enters the eyes, nostrils, mouth or wounds, it does not produce Sepsis. Both Science Were practiced by the Sinhalese Who termed them Malla Pora

source: from the book of some sinhala combative, field and aquatic sports and games
            by P.E.P. Deraniyagala