Indian Martial Art
The literal meaning of 'martial art' is - 'art related to waging war'. As we all know, India is a country of traditions and cultures. Indian martial arts or martial arts are also one of the many variations of India. In ancient times, these martial arts played an important role in defeating the opposing side and establishing their supremacy over the dynasties and primitive tribes, but in the present context, if we look at these martial arts, they are used generally in Physical health benefits, for self-defense, for religious rites and in the film world. These martial arts are mainly related to dance, yoga and performance arts.
Statue of Equality
Different Types of Indian Martial Arts
Different types of martial arts are prevalent in different states and regions of India, some of which we will see in this article. We will see the details of the remaining others in the next article under different articles as follows –
- Kalaripayattu : Kerala
- Thang Ta Or Huyen Lalong : Manipur
- Sarit Sarak : Manipur
- Cheibi Gad Ga : Manipur
- Thoda : Himachal Pradesh
- Skay : Kashmir
- Silambam : Tamil Nadu
- Mardani Khel : Maharashtra
- Inbui Wrestling : Mizoram
- Fist fight : Varanasi, U.P.
- Gatka or Shastar Vidya : Punjab
- Stick : Punjab and West Bengal
- Paika Arena : Orissa
- Pari Khanda – Bihar
- Wrestling
- Malla War : Tamil Nadu
- Bandesh
- Kuttu Varisai : Karnataka
- Kathi Samu : Andhra Pradesh
- Gusthi (Boxing) : Tamil Nadu
- Varma Kalai : Tamil Nadu
- Dao Khela : West Bengal
- Phala Khela : West Bengal
Kalaripayattu : Kerala
- It is one of the oldest martial arts of India.
- 'Kalari' is a Malayalam word, which means - a specific type of school or gymnasium or training room where martial arts were taught and practiced.
- This martial art was banned during the British rule, which re-emerged after independence.
- Sage Parasurama, who built temples, started Kalaripayattu.
- Origin - It originated in Kerala in the 'fourth century'.
- Technology and Art of War –
- In this style, mock duet fighting and physical exercises without drums or songs are done, which can be both armed and unarmed.
- The main characteristic of this style is its footwork, which includes kicking, strikes and weapon-based drills.
- Massage with Uzhichil or gingelly oil, Otta – an S – shaped stick, Mappayattu – physical exercise, Puliyakam – sword fight, Verumkai – bare hand fight, Angathari – use of metal weapons, Kolthari – use of sticks etc. There are technical aspects.
Thang Ta Or Huyen Lalong : Manipur
- 'Thang' means - sword and 'ta' means - spear. Thus Thang-ta means a war fought with sword and spear.
- Thang-ta is an armed martial art.
- Thang-ta is also known as Huyen Lalong, in which an ax and shield are used along with other weapons.
- Thang-ta was also banned during the British rule, which re-emerged in its form after independence.
- Origin – It was originated in the 17th century by the people of Meitei caste.
- Technique and Art of War – It is practiced in three different forms. -
- The first part is related to ritualistic tantric activities and rituals,
- The second part is dance with spear and sword, while
- The third part consists of war techniques for actual fighting.
- Along with establishing their supremacy over Manipur, the British banned Thang-Ta, which reappeared after India's independence.
- Khurumba, Tha-Liba, Thong Knog, Wai Taiba etc. are the main technical terms of this art.
Sarit Sarak : Manipur
- This is also a martial art of Manipur similar to Thang-Ta.
- Unlike Thang-ta, it is an unarmed martial art.
- In this art, fighting is done by melee or hands.
- The aggression and deviousness adopted in Sarit Sarak sets this art apart.
Cheibi Gad Ga : Manipur
- Cheibi Gad – Ga is also one of the oldest martial arts of India.
- A sword and a shield are used as weapons in Cheibi Gad-Ga. But at present, instead of a metal sword, a stick with a leather cover is used, and a Leather shield is used.
- Technique and Art of War : Cheibi Gad – Ga competition is organized in a circular circle on a flat and plane surface, whose diameter is 7 meters. In this circular circle, two lines are drawn at a distance of 2 meters each.
- In this duel, the length of the chibi stick is between 2 to 2.5 feet, while the diameter of the shield used is 1 meter.
- In this competition, marks are given on the basis of skill and physical ability, the participant who scores more marks is declared the winner.
Thoda – Himachal Pradesh
- It is a traditional art popular in different parts of Himachal Pradesh, which is a collective mixture of martial arts, sports and culture, mainly competition based on archery.
- In Himachal Pradesh, the competition of this martial art is organized every year on the day of Baisakhi i.e. 13th and 14th April.
- Origin – It originated in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
- The name of this martial art is derived from the round piece of wood attached to the front of the arrow used in this martial art, which is called thoda.
- Technique and Art of War – The essential tools of this art of war are wooden arrows and bows made by skilled artisans.
- The length of the bow is made according to the length of the participant's body, about 1.5 - 2 meters, and the length of the arrow is proportional to the bow.
- To reduce the lethality of the arrow, a round piece made of wood is placed on its top, which is called thoda.
- This game is played in a certain area or courtyard, so that discipline is maintained and there is no accident.
- In this game, the archer has to aim below the leg and knee of the opponent, negative marks are given for aiming at any part of the body above this.
- There are two teams in this game. One of which is called Pashis and the other is called Sathis, who are considered to be the descendants of Pandavas and Kauravas of Mahabharata.
- Each of the two teams consists of 500 participants, most of whom are dancers who participate in the game to boost their team's morale.
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