by Rahul Sengar Sir INDIAN ART AND CULTURE (TOPIC COVERED: MARTIAL ARTS) Martial art literally means “arts concerned with the waging of war" India has a long history of martial arts. Various Indian martial arts have originated from various ancient war skills. MARTIAL ARTS DESCRIPTION Kalarippayattu (Kerala specially) “Kalari’—>Arenas “Payattu’ >combat/fighting, Involves strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods. The most important key is footwork. According to legends, sage Parasurama started Kalaripayattu. Malla-Yuddha (South India) Combat-Wrestling type. Unarmed type. Four types: 1, Hanumanti —for technical superiority 2. Jambuvanti - focuses on locking and holding tll opponent gives up 3. Jarasandhi - breaking limbs and joints 4, Bhimaseni — focuses on sheer strength Silambam (Tamil Nadu} ‘Majorly used Silambam staff” as a weapon. (staff ~a traditional pole weapon. It has many variants from justa stick to having knife at one end) Foot movements plays a key role “Kuttu varisal"~ a variant of silambam & uses no weapon. According to legends, this martial art Was developed by Lord Muruga (son of Lord Shiva) & sage Agasthya Gatka (Punjab) Weapon based Used by Sikhs mainly Gatka means ~“One whose freedom belongs to race’ Stick, Sword, kirpan of kataar used as weapon Musti Yuddhal Unarmed Martial Art. (Varanasi) Ithas al three aspeets physical, mental and spiritual Weapon Based ‘Thang’ means sword. "Ta"means spear. Anything from sword or spear can be used ThangTa Other weapons used are shield and axe. (Manipur Usedin three different ways 1.As absolutely ritual in nature 2. As spectacular performance 3. As actual Fighting technique Lathi (Punjab & Bengal) Weapon Based Cane Sticks used Popular more in villages Mardanikhel | Weapon Based, Created by Marathas (Kolhapur, Suitable for hilly regions Maharashtra) Uses sword mainly & needs rapid movements Weapon Based Pari-Khanda (Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha) Created by Rajputs “Pari” means shield &"Khanda’ means sword Foremd the basis of Chhau dance Inbuan Wrestling (Mizoram) Unarmed Type Has strict rules prohibiting kicking, stepping out of the circle and bending of the knees. {Aim isto 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.by Rahul Sengar Sir Kuttu Varisai Unarmed Type “Kuttu Varisai” means empty hand combat First mentioned in Sangam Literature (South India) used to improve footworkand athleticism through gymnastics, stretching, yoga and breathing exercises use of animal-based sets which includes tiger, snake, elephant, eagle and monkey CheibiGadga | Weapon Based (Manipur) Uses sword and shield Unarmed Type Sarit sarak Hand to hand combat (Manipur) Perfectiinits evasive and offensive action 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 Mukna (Manipur) Unarmed Wrestling Type Two men with their hands holding clothe bands on each other waists wrestle with one another and attempts to throw the other down, and the victor should always be on top of the one falling down Lakna-Phanaba Unarmed, Wrestling Type (Manipur) Karra Samu ‘Armed Type, Basically stick fighting (Andhra Pradesh) Kathi Samu ‘Armed Type, Basically sword fighting (Andhra Pradesh)