Martial Arts of India MAHIPAL SINGH RATHORE

Martial Arts in India

• Earlier used for warfare, these are presently used for demonstration.

• Some of them were banned during British rule like Kalari and Silambam

• They resurfaced after independence and gained popularity.

Kalaripayattu

• One of the oldest martial arts in India.

• Originated in Kerala in 4th CE.

• Kalari means gymnasium/training hall.

• According to legends, sage Parasurama started the artform.

Kalaripayattu

• The art form includes mock duels and physical exercises.

• Not accompanied by any drumming or song.

• Style of fighting is the most important part with importance given to the footwork.

• Unniyarcha, a legendary heroine, won many battles using this artform.

• Popular in movies

Silambam

• It is a kind of staff fencing.

• Modern and scientific martial art of Tamil nadu.

• The silambam bamboo staff was a popular trading item even with the foreigners.

• It finds mention in Silappadikaram, a 2nd century AD text.

• Lord Murugan and sage Agastya are credited with it’s creation.

Thang Ta

• Created by Meitei people of Manipur.

• Thang Ta is one of the most lethal combat form

• Thang – sword and Ta – spear.

• Capture of Manipur by British witnessed a ban on these art forms which was later revived

Sarit Sarak is an unarmed hand to hand combat form.

Cheibi Gad-Ga

Ancient martial arts of Manipur.

Involves fighting using a sword and a sheild.

Sword now modified to a stick.

Pari Khanda – created by Rajputs, is a form a martial art from Bihar. Pari means sheild and khanda is sword. It’s steps are widely used in Chhau Dance as well.

Thoda – a mixture of martial arts, sports and culture. It takes place during Baisakhi every year in Himachal Pradesh.

It relies on a player’s skill of archery.

Thoda Martial Dance

Gatka –

weapon based martial art of the Sikhs of Punjab.

Use of weapons include stick, kirpan talwar and kataar.

Mardani khel –

traditinal Maharashtrian martial art practices mainly in the district of Kolhapur.

Lathi –

denotes world’s oldest weapons used in martial arts.

Majorly practised in Punjab and Bengal, this art is still famous is most parts of India.

Lathi Martial Art

Inbuan Wrestling -

A native martial art form of Mizoram, Inbuan Wrestling is believed to have its genesis in 1750 A.D. in Dungtlang village.

It has very strict rules that prohibit stepping out of the circle, kicking and knee bending.

Kuttu Varisai

First mentioned in Sangam literature (first or second century B.C.),

Kuttu Varisai translates to ‘empty hand combat’.

Kuttu Varisai is mainly practiced in Tamil Nadu, although it is quite popular in north-eastern part of Sri Lanka and Malaysia too.

An unarmed Dravidian martial art, it is used to advance athleticism and footwork through starching, yoga, gymnastics and breathing exercises.

Musti Yuddha

Originated in one of the oldest city of the country, Varanasi, Musti Yuddha is an unarmed martial art form resembling boxing.

It used techniques like kicks, punches, knee and elbow strikes.

Although rarely visible now, it was quite a popular art during 1960s.

Malla yudha

Paika Akhada - Odisha – Dance/martial art

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