Swamy and Joseph

Of People and Places 1

Arranging books on a beautiful mahogany shelf is an art by itself. It helps you to choose a book according to your mood when you sit on a relaxing chair in the evening, by the table lamp with yellow warm light, and a glass of wine if you prefer.

In modern times, we organize eBooks and photos in a portable hard disk that has astounding storage capacities. It is a herculean task, as I experienced because you have saved thousands of photographs –both priceless and trash-over decades especially since the advent of the digital camera. While browsing these, I chanced upon an old photograph that brought back many happy memories.     

1982 -With K.R.Swamy and P.J.Joseph at Alleppey

               

The photo dates back to 1982. You can see me standing beside Sri. Swamy, a doyen who started a gymnasium for bodybuilding and physical fitness in Alleppey in the 1950s, a time when gymnasiums in Kerala were far too scanty. On the right is Mr.P.J.Joseph, the best powerlifter India has produced till date. He was my friend and junior colleague in the Bank where I worked as an Officer. Joseph went on to win Arjuna award and a couple of World medals along with many other national and international recognitions. The photograph was taken at his house in Alleppey.

K.R.Swamy, trainer par excellence

K.Ramaswamy, popularly known as Swamy, was born in Nagercoil and came to Alleppey in the early 50s. His father   Kandaswamy was a weightlifter of those early days. Young Ramaswamy who looked out for a job in Alleppey realized that having seen the iron game in close quarters, he was meant to be a mentor to help young men in bodybuilding and physical fitness. Thus he established a gymnasium in Alleppey in 1953 with modest means.

Swamy was one of the earliest trainers in physical fitness in Kerala and he became the guru of bodybuilding and powerlifting in Alleppey in the decades that followed. He was in his late fifties when I met him. I used to go to Swamy’s Gym on weekends encouraged by Joseph to whom I was sort of a mentor at the Bank. Joseph had just been recruited to the bank under special sports quota.

Swamy had an instant liking for me and he wanted me to increase my body weight and be a powerlifter or a bodybuilder. Frankly, I just wanted to reduce my weight and to be slim because the girl I was going to marry was slim like a ballerina. I only spent a few weeks at the gym but had made a good rapport with Mr Swamy. He spoke Malayalam with a Tamil slang and was very committed to developing his gym and training young men in bodybuilding and powerlifting. He was a taskmaster in his training as vouched by many of his students. He had many disciples of which Joseph was the dearest and the first to win a world medal. A lot more men followed Joseph to win international laurels in powerlifting and Swamy etched his name in the annals of Indian physical trainers as a true guru and mentor. He displayed great humility and was extremely committed to his work. Though his formal education was limited, he was always impeccable in his behaviour. He was often assisted by two of his sons in running the affairs of the gymnasium. Many of his disciples entered government services and banks under sports quota purely based on their achievements in bodybuilding and powerlifting.

The gym used to keep some old magazines and journals devoted to bodybuilding and physical fitness. Once when I was going through the “Muscle & Fitness” an American fitness and bodybuilding magazine, founded in 1935 by the Canadian entrepreneur Joe Weider (1919 –2013), Swamy requested me to prepare a letter to Joe Weider about his efforts in building up the gym in Alleppey. I obliged immediately and was pleasantly surprised because Weider, the great man as he is, acknowledged the letter and sent a warm reply to Swamy.

Despite a large number of disciples with international achievements Swamy remained very modest and continued with his sporting activities. He epitomized humility and dedication. I was privileged to know him. His descendants continue the tradition and Alleppey could be proud of its illustrious patron in the sports arena.

P.J.Joseph, Arjuna Award Winner

Mr.P.J.Joseph was a budding powerlifter when I met him first in 1981. He was the national/Asian champion in the 57 kg category and had won the coveted title “The Strongman of India “for powerlifters, in 1982. In the same year, he was placed fourth in the World Powerlifting Championships held in Munich, Germany. He went on to bring many laurels to the country and won the Arjuna award in 1984. He represented India in many World Powerlifting championships between 1979 and 1986 and won various prizes in other national and Asian championships. His best was in the 1986 World Championships in The Hague, Netherlands when he won the silver medal in powerlifting in the 56 kg category. In 1984, he had won a bronze in the World Championships held at Texas, USA.

Joseph was a good friend. I learned many aspects of Powerlifting from him. I also learned a lot about the politics- ridden administrations of the sports councils and federations, both at the national and international level. He was a good host and very polite in his behaviour. He had all the confusions of a newcomer in the bank but I was backing him up just as Mr Ganesh, the previous Manager and a great mentor used to do. He was a quick learner and a promotion to the Officer’s cadre came within a few years. He has since retired from the bank as a Senior Manager.

1983, my marriage day-with Jagannatha Varma and Joseph-

In 1983, the year I got married to Sindhu, Joseph attended the Men's World Powerlifting Championships held at Gothenburg, Sweden. Unfortunately, he was disqualified in the championships but his spirits were not dampened. On his return, he presented me with a pair of beautiful shoes, so light and comforting that you did not want to take it off from your feet. His persistence and “never say die” spirit won him a bronze medal in the World Championships at Texas the very next year. Returning from Texas, Joseph again brought me a pair of Levi Strauss jeans so kindly sent by a mutual friend Tomy who had migrated there the previous year.

1983 -look, how slim were both of us!

After his active international years between 1979 and 1986, Joseph went on to adorn many responsibilities in the Indian, Asian and World Powerlifting Federations. Still very active in mentoring budding talents, Joseph serves as the Secretary-General of Powerlifting India.

Joseph ensured that his son Midhun followed his footsteps. Mithun Joseph won the gold medal in the 2005 Asian Powerlifting Championships in the sub-junior division of 52 kg category.

While Swamy is no more, Joseph continues to be active in sports administration. I have not met Joseph for many years but always remember him as a person who scaled great heights despite many a hurdle and who kept the fighting spirit always on in his pursuit for excellence in his chosen field. He is a living example who has proved that the scarcity of resources and repeated failures cannot be a hindrance to achieve your goals if you back your efforts with commitment and tenacity of purpose.

Palakkad, 25th July 2020