Ode to a Legend: Padukone, the champion who made us believe we could be world-beaters

THE SANSKRIT MEANING of the word ‘Prakash’ translates to ‘bright light’. And it is perhaps fitting that the man who cast such a spectacular glow on Indian badminton, goes by that same name. Recently, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) presented a long overdue, but much-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award to Prakash Padukone, the racquet wielding hero who laid the founding stones of inspiration in India’s now blossoming badminton legacy.

But it was so much more that this lone warrior’s furrow into the ultra-competitive sport of badminton epitomized!

At a time when Indian sporting heroes were scarce and scant, especially in individual pursuits, Prakash Padukone showed us that being world-beaters at whatever we did was not such an impossible dream. He made us believe that an Indian could rub shoulders with the absolute best on the world stage. He proved to us that winning despite the odds was possible. Perhaps, most importantly, he also taught us through act and deed, that rising to the very top could be done with grace and dignity.

This was a man who had beaten the great Rudy Hartono (his idol), considered by many experts still, to be the ‘Bradman of Badminton’. He had shown the world the Indonesian juggernaut could be quelled. The impending Chinese system of excellence in the sport could be cracked, decoded, and overcome. And the Danes and other Europeans could be made to dance to one’s tune. He achieved all this without essentially any support system around him. All he had to go by was sheer talent, and a champion’s resolve to overcome the weight of circumstances.

Not enough is made about just how astounding his triumphs at the hallowed All England tournament in 1980, and the World Cup in Malaysia in 1981 truly were. In a time when ‘average’ Indian past triumphs in cricket get replayed time and again, surely there’s a case to feature the exploits of one of India’s true sporting icons more often on screens. He was a shining light in badminton’s Golden era, and Indians deserve to be reminded of his dazzle.

His body of work on the court in itself presents engaging insights relevant to many other walks of life.

We learn how talent is never enough, unless complemented by the sweat of the brow and the rigor of hard work. His trademark long rallies inspire us to hang in there, even when the going is not to our liking, because eventually an opportunity to change things will present itself.

His brilliant chess-like tactical acumen and strategic sense tell us about the importance of thinking our way out of corners. His accent on guile and deception, inform us there are always subtler ways around irrepressible forces and immovable objects.

His decision to shift to Denmark for a few years in the prime of his career, leaving behind the security of home and a steady job – at a time when there was virtually no precedent to such things – educate us about the importance of taking risks to further one’s cause. In a way he was one of our first ‘knowledge exports’ to the western world, because the Danes learnt a lot from him, especially the redoubtable Morten Frost Hansen.

Recently he helped found the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), a noble movement to seek and nurture future Olympic Champions across sports in India. Typically he has been content to stay in the background, helping others to soar higher by being the wind beneath their wings. It is great to see him involved with sport even today.

Indian sport needs more Prakash Padukones. There are very few role models of that nature and stature. Borrowing a leaf from his considerable exploits and experience might just help us smash through those barriers we have long considered insurmountable – on the court and off it.

‘A champion does not have to match the din of the crowd.
A true hero is he, who lets his deeds & actions speak aloud.’

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