Parkour in Kolkata

Yudhajit and me (both known as "Arko") are the ones who first started practicing Parkour in this region back in early 2007. Like a lot of us, we came across some show on the Discovery Channel and the documentary "Jump London". Being always interested in thrilling activities, we were immediately fascinated and were already jumping off things by the end of that week! The Banhi Math in Naktala became our primary jumping spot. We used to do a range of crazy activities there despite ridicule form the para people. Didn't matter because we had the typical teen-rebel "f**k society" attitude on. I remember carrying out Yudhajit's study table on to the field to practice kong vaults on. Good times.

We'd also practice on my rooftop. Now hold on, not across rooftops - on my rooftop, safely! There are walls and stuff there which are pretty helpful for beginners. I wasn't always this concerned about safety. I'll be honest. We used to jump off heights and be reckless, again, like a lot of us in the beginning. It wasn't until 2008 that I came across articles and videos showing the true meaning of Parkour and its philosophies. I learned how Parkour is not about being reckless and although it's an extreme activity indeed, it takes years of practice and steady progression to do what they do in the awesome videos. Safety is an important aspect of Parkour. I realized how Parkour gives you control of your environment and breaks the stereotype of human movement. All these connected me even deeply with the art. I personally am more inclined towards parkour because I find it more practical and faster than freerunning.

Yudhajit doesn't practice anymore but it has been prophesied that he'll return. Somewhere in between, for a small period of time we had Amlan and Ani - a couple of crazy, athletic dudes. Unfortunately they couldn't continue their practice for their own personal reasons. I've been training with Indra and Rahul for the past couple of years, more seriously for the last one year. They (especially Indra) are really enthusiastic, daring and fun to train with. Got to mention Arnie who's more a brother to me than just a friend, and the days at "Crappy Park" - a local park where me and Arnie played around in the early days. He's in Toronto right now training at 'The Monkey Vault'. Recently a lot of new people have joined us. So the community is growing. The lazy Bengali youth could really use a positive outlet like Parkour.

We're still amateurs though, especially compared to guys in UK or Russia. Partly because we don't practice full time and partly because Kolkata lacks necessary infrastructures for such activities. Then there are social constrains. But parkour is not about competition, it's about self-development. So we're under no pressure. We're taking it slow and steady and are determined not to stop, given our problems. I personally wish to keep pushing the limits of my body and mind for as long as they're capable and most importantly - keep 'playing around'. As someone wise once said: "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

- Diptarko Bhattacharya (Arko)
17-04-2011

15 comments:

samraat said...

bro I like your comment it great

I think on December I join your PK group I think you accept me

have a good day
and best of luckk for your parkour training

again best of luck

samraat said...

bro I like your comment it great

I think on December I join your PK group I think you accept me

have a good day
and best of luckk for your parkour training

again best of luck

Andy said...

Hello Diptarko,
I am Anindya and would like to join you people. let me know how and where I can contact you!!

Thanks

ozy ray said...

good for many i should say.coming in december. but for the moment im practicing at punjab. spare me some classes sire!

vishal said...

hey pal... i want learn it.. m not an athlete though, still m really interested in it... where do u guys train .. n wat i ll ve to do to join this group

santanu said...

hey diptarko...my name is santanu(santro)...i am a 2nd year engrr student...i want to learn parkour...m very interested...plzzzzzz tel me where is d insttn....if u want2contact me 8981821481...dis s my no...pls do mk me inform...m eagr

DEEP said...

hie,m intrestd in joining u,wer cn i cntact u ,just u cn sms me at 9874285334...... will b waiting for ur reply...... make it ASAP..

Arko said...

Guys, join our facebook page to know when and where we meet.
http://www.facebook.com/ParkourKolkata

Also, here's our website: www.parkourkolkata.com

Anonymous said...

I also want to learn if u can plz inform me on my no. 9088937870 ur any contact no.

Anonymous said...

It was really inspiring bro. I am always fascinated by parkour & always try to take easier path on my way to college & when back from there. As u know kolkata is very packed & congested so I always try to take easier way which is may be full of obstacle which is really fun for me. People watch me think I am crazy or a nuts but I don't mind. Recently I am focusing on get in shape & gain a good fitness because I think excellent fitness & flexibility of body is the key to perform fast parkour. So Arko can I join your community lately? Please let me know if u agree because all of us who r interested in parkour, its time for us to be united.

Unknown said...

Well I'm a great fan of parkour I even have a small group ace we practice together and we would love to join your group it will be great thing to me and my group. My contact number 9830908837

Unknown said...

Contact me ASAP

Pongdam view homestay said...

i want to join
7980636438(whatsup)

Unknown said...

i want to join my phon No is 9653642456

sourav said...

6291284025 ami sikhte chai