Indian Culture: Indian Martial Arts
1. Kalarippayattu (Kerala specially) & rest of south
- Weapon based type
- “Kalari” means arena. “Payattu” means combat/fighting.
- Involves strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods, the footwork movement
- Kerala’s “Kathakali” incorporates greatly of this in their routines
- Considered older than Chinese martial arts
- Associated Legend: This art form was taught to early masters of this by Parashurama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) to protect the land he created.
2. Malla-Yuddha (South India)
- Combat-Wrestling type. Unarmed type.
- Four types:
1. Hanumanti – for technical superiority
2. Jambuvanti – focuses on locking and holding till opponent gives up
3. Jarasandhi – breaking limbs and joints
4. Bhimaseni – focuses on sheer strength
2. Jambuvanti – focuses on locking and holding till opponent gives up
3. Jarasandhi – breaking limbs and joints
4. Bhimaseni – focuses on sheer strength
3. Silambam (Tamil Nadu)
- Weapon based type
- Variety of weapons used.
- Majorly used “Silambam staff” as a weapon. (staff – a traditional pole weapon. It has many variants from just a stick to having knife at one end)
- Foot movements plays a key role
- Movements of animals like snake, tiger, elephant and eagle used
- “Kuttu varisai” – a variant of silambam & uses no weapon
- Associated Legend: this martial art was developed by Lord Muruga (son of Lord Shiva, other name – Kartekeya) & sage Agasthya
- Travelled from Tamil Nadu to Malaysia
4. Gatka (Punjab)
- Weapon based
- Used by Sikhs mainly
- Gatka means – “One whose freedom belongs to race”
- Stick, Sword, kirpan or kataar used as weapon
5. Thang Ta (Manipur)
- Weapon Based
- “Thang” means sword. “Ta” means spear.
- Anything from sword or spear can be used.
- Other weapons used are shield and axe.
- Used in three different ways
1. As absolutely ritual in nature
2. As spectacular performance
3. As actual Fighting technique
2. As spectacular performance
3. As actual Fighting technique
6. Lathi (Punjab & Bengal)
- Weapon Based
- Cane Sticks used.
- Popular more in villages
7. Mardani Khel (Kolhapur, Maharashtra)
- Weapon Based
- Created by Marathas
- Suitable for hilly regions
- Uses sword mainly & needs rapid movements
8. Pari-Khanda (Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha)
- Weapon Based
- Created by Rajputs
- “Pari” means shield & “Khanda” means sword (according to Chhau rulers)
- Gave birth to Chhau dance
9. Inbuan Wrestling (Mizoram)
- Unarmed Type
- Has strict rules prohibiting kicking, stepping out of the circle and bending of the knees.
- Aim is to lift the opponent off his feet while strictly adhering to the rules
- Catching hold of the belt worn by the wrestlers around the waist; it has to remain tight all through the game.
10. Kuttu Varisai (South India)
- Unarmed Type
- “Kuttu Varisai” means empty hand combat
- used to improve footwork and athleticism through gymnastics, stretching, yoga and breathing exercises
- use of animal-based sets which includes tiger, snake, elephant, eagle and monkey
11. Cheibi Gadga (Manipur)
- Weapon Based
- Uses sword & shield
- Victory depends more on skill than on muscle power
12. Thoda (Himachal Pradesh)
- Weapon Based
- Originated from the times of Mahabharata
- Generally based on archery skills
- “Thoda” is the round piece of wood fixed to the head of the arrow