Martial Art Forms of India

Martial Arts Forms of India 

Martial Arts are known as the various fighting sports Martial arts. Martial arts were a part of India’s ancient culture and a traditional game. But, nowadays there are only two countries whose martial arts are known by people i.e. of China and Japan. India’s martial art forms are completely forgotten by not only the world but also by the people of India. There are some states which are trying to preserve the martial art form of their respective state but some and also very less in number. But, we can try to save our Martial Arts from completely vanishing. Our government can make the Indian Martial Art forms a compulsory subject. There are many schools that have kung-fu as a sport in their syllabus, so they should replace western Martial art forms with Indian Martial Art Forms. Let’s discuss some Indian Martial Art Forms 

Kalaripayattu: 

The term ‘Kalari’ refers to the place where this combat style is taught while ‘payattu’ means to practice. It is known as “Mother of All Martial Arts”. It is the Martial  Art form of Kerala. It is considered as raw power, swift movements and sinuous strength of powerful animals – the lion, tiger, elephant, wild boar, snake and crocodile. This martial art form can be seen in contemporary dance forms, theatre, fitness techniques and movies. The Indian martial art known as Kalaripayattu originated in the state of Kerala, on the southwestern coast of India. Kalaripayattu is also known by its simple name as Kalari. The tradition of Kalaripayattu has been a part of Indian martial arts for centuries. A history of over 3,000 years makes it the oldest martial art still alive in India. The Vadakkan Pattukal contains ballads about Chekavar descended from the Malabar region of Kerala. These ballads also refer to Kalaripayattu. "Kalaripayattu" is an ancient form of self-defence that was developed specifically for use on ancient battlefields (the name means "battlefield" in Sanskrit), with weapons and fighting methods unique to India.

A lot of tricks and philosophies in Kalaripayattu are based on HinduismAyurveda is also an ancient Indian medical text upon which the art bases its medical treatment methods. Those who practice Kalaripayattu have extensive knowledge of pressure points on the human body, as well as Ayurvedic and Yoga-based healing methodologies. The Kalaripayattu system is based on the guru-shishya model of Indian yoga. It differs from many other martial arts systems in the world in that Kalaripayattu begins with teaching weapon-based techniques and concludes with barehanded techniques. In Kalaripayattu, finger movements from nata dances as well as yoga traditions were incorporated. Yoga, dance, and performing arts form an important part of many South Asian fighting styles. Dancers who knew Kalaripayattu were revered as being more adept than others. Kalaripayattu choreography can be applied to Kathakali acts. Martial arts still play an important role in some Indian classical dance schools' daily workout routines.

A variety of Kalaripayattu techniques are used, including striking, kicking, grappling, pre-shaped forms, weapons, and healing methods. While in heavy armour, Kalaripayattu warriors may not have maintained flexibility and mobility, since they would wear very light, and simple body armour. Kalaripayattu is also practised by women in Keralite society and still is. The Vadakkan Pattukal contains a collection of ballads from Kerala praising women such as Unniyarcha for their martial skills.

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Thang-Ta (Huyen Langlon):  

It is the Martial Art Form of Manipur. Thang-Ta stands for sword and spear. It includes the sword, spear and dagger and the most important weapon is the sword. There are various sword drills that teach the basic strokes and stepping patterns of this fighting style.
A martial art, Huyen langlon originated in Manipur. As Langlon or Langlong can refer to net, knowledge, or art in the Meitei language, Huyen means war. Thang-ta (armed combat) and Sarit Sarak (unarmed fight) are the two main components of Huyen langlon. Thang (a sword) and ta (a spear) are the primary weapons of Huyen langlon. It can be thrown from a farther distance or used up close in its non-missile form. There is also an axe and a shield. Fighting without weapons includes hand strikes, kicks, and grappling (mukna). The ethnicity of Huyen langlon in Manipur is closely related to the bands of Burma and banshay of Myanmar because of Manipur's proximity to Myanmar and its similarity in culture.

It is possible to perform thang-ta in three ways: rituals, demonstrations, and combat. This approach is completely ritualistic and relates to tantric practices. As an alternative, an elaborate sword and spear dance performance can be arranged. Fighting practices can be made out of these routines. A real combat application can be made out of these routines. Tang-ta relates closely to certain war dances, such as thangkairol (sword dance) and khosarol (spear dance), blurring the distinction between dance and combat. The spear dance for funerals and the sacred thengou dance are examples of ritualized dances performed in Manipur traditionally by martial artists. Dancing with swords represents either protection or warding off evil spirits.

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Silambam: 

Silambam is a weapon-based Indian martial art originating in South India in the Indian subcontinent. Tamil Sangam literature describes it as a weapon-based martial art. Silambam has been officially governed by the World Silambam Association.
It is the Martial Art Form of  Tamil Nadu. The word ‘Silam‘ means hills and ‘Mambam‘ stands for bamboo from the hills; these sticks are usually found on the hills in that particular region. Well-structured techniques, fluid footwork, and smart fighting strategies are some important features of this martial art form. 
Silambam's main focus is on the bamboo staff. The length of the staff depends on the height of the practitioner. Ideally, it should just touch the forehead about three fingers from the head, typically measuring around 1.68 meters (five and a half feet). Different lengths may be used depending on the situation. For instance, the sedikuchi or 3-foot stick can be easily concealed. Separate practice is needed for staffs of different lengths. Listed below are some of the weapons used in Silambam.

• Silambam: The staff is usually made of bamboo, although teak and Indian rose chestnut wood are sometimes also used. By beating the staff on the surface of the water or immersing it in water, the staff is strengthened. To prevent the ends from being damaged, it is sometimes tipped with metal rings.
• Maru: A thrusting weapon made from the horns of the blackbuck.
• Aruval: A paired sickle. 
• Kuttu Katai: A knuckleduster with spikes.
• Katti: Knife.
• Kattari: Indigenous push-dagger that has an H-shaped handle. The blade can penetrate armor. Both straight and wavy blades are possible.
• Surul kaththi: A sword with a flexible blade.
• Sedikuchi: A short stick or stick with a handle
• Panthukol: Staff with fire balls at either end or chains with weights attached.
• Savuku: A Whip.
• Vaal: Curved sword.

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Gatka (Shastar Vidya): 

It is the martial art form of Punjab. This martial art form was created by great Sikh warriors. during the martial period of great Sikh Gurus. In these two or more practitioners, they fight with their sticks. Gatka is the version of the fighting style of the Akali Nihangs, the blue-turbaned sect of Sikh fighters. But after the Anglo-Sikh wars, it was banned by the British. The sharp swords of Shastar Vidya have been replaced by wooden sticks and shields in Gatka. 
There are wooden sticks resembling swords that are used in this kind of stick-fighting. A gatka is a wooden stick used in Punjabi martial arts. From the Sanskrit gada "mace", this diminutive word derives.
The original Sikh martial art, Shastar Vidya, originated in Punjab in the 15th century, but most of the modern Gatka forms practiced in western societies are westernized versions of the original martial art. The practice of gatka has risen to popularity during the later 20th century, with the International Gatka Federation formed in 1982 and formalized in 1987. Gatka is now frequently performed during Sikh festivals as a sport and as an art form. As derived from Sanatan Shaster Vidya, a centuries-old Sanatan method of warfare, it is known as the science of weapons.

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Sqay: 

It is the martial art form of Kashmir. It includes the Sword which is made up of synthetic fibre covered in leather. Performers wear blue uniforms with red or yellow piping. Competitors are judged on stance, timing and perfection of form. India's square federation oversees this sport. In an armed assault, swords and shields are used, or both swords are carried in each hand. An unarmed technique can include kicks, punches, cuts, and locks.Sqay has a variety of sword and free hand techniques, and both can also be learned with the sword and free hand.
Competitions of Sqay generally involves sparring, breaking, and preset routines. Competition involves using a sword-like stick coupled with a shield as a weapon. The arena dimensions and bout durations for men and women differ slightly depending on their gender and age group.

Generally, the sword (tora or tura) made by the International Council of Sqay is covered in leather and made of synthetic fiber. The sword measures between 2 and 2.6 feet in length. Located near the sword is a protective shield (bargula), which is 9-10 inches wide and covered with leather. In addition to trousers and a jacket with a cross-front adorned with a belt, an official uniform usually consists of blue clothing with red or yellow piping. For sparring, chest guards and a head guard are mandatory.

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Mardani Khel: 

It is the Martial art form of Maharashtra.  Kolhapur was the centre of the Maratha kingdom. There are various training centres near the village of Kolhapur to prepare youngsters for war. The British banned the use of weapons and the training centres were forced to turn mardani khel into a folk game to ensure its survival after the revolt of 1857. 
A distinctive feature of this martial art form is its use of the sword and corded lance, known as the patta (sword) and vita (corded lance). Maharashtrian martial art dates back 1,500 years and is thought to be the began from Vaktaka, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. Maharashtra's particular geographical conditions are thought to have contributed to its development. In this hilly area, where hills and caves are found, people became expert horsemen, specializing in light armor and highly mobile cavalry units during warfare. The Mardani Khel used the following weapons:

• Pata: The blade of the sword had a hollow handle which acted as a handguard
• Talwar: A single-edged sword with a curve
• Bhala: a broad-headed spear used by infantry
• Barcha: A barcha is an iron spear that was thrown by soldiers with their infantry
• Vita: a weapon tied to the wielder by a cord
• Bothati: Horse-mounted lance is used
• Lathi:  A stick or staff
• Dhala: A circular shield
• Madhu: A thrusting weapon inspired by deer horns
• Kurhad:  An axe
• Danda: A Battle-axe
• Khukuri: An inward-curving knife
• Danushya: A bow and arrow
• Katyara: A push-dagger with a H-shaped handle
• Bagh naka: An iron claw
• Bichuwa / Bichawa: A Scorpion knife

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Lathi Khela: 

Generally, Lathi is used by police to control the crowd. Lathi is a  bamboo stick that can be wielded in many ways to give quick lethal blows to the opponent as well as in self-defence by using it as a shield. Among the Bengali words for sticks is lathi, while the word khela is associated with sports or games. The game of sticks is then called lathi khela. In India and Bangladesh, lathi khela, also known as stick fighting, is a traditional Bengali martial art. The person trained in this martial art is referred to as a lathial.
Lathial group members performed acts like Baoi Jhak (group fighting), Nori Bari (mock fighting with sticks) and Fala Khela and Dao Khela (mock fighting with sharp weapons), in front of hundreds.

Traditionally, these groups learn the arts of dao khela (machete fighting) and fara khela (sword fighting), styles of fighting that are preserved throughout history in the form of mock-fights. While the art includes one-on-one matches, it also includes mock-group matches called baoi jhaks. Lathi practitioners fight from an upright stance, with their centre of energy being the heart chakra. Lathi khela is losing popularity these days. As long as the art form is practiced nationwide, it can become increasingly popular and remain viable.