Context: The Indian Army has added martial arts to the regular training of troops in addition to the usual physical exercise, post the Galwan violent clash (Between India and China). For example, the Punjab regiment has incorporated Gatka in the training regime and the Udhampur-based Northern Command introduced the Israeli-origin martial art Krav Maga.
Need:
- Regions like, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Kibithu in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh are of difficult terrains like mountains and jungles, unpredictable and heavy rains.
- To face such challenges, the Army continuously undertakes training and the martial arts is one of them.
Krav-Maga, Israeli origin Martial art:
- Krav-Maga is an Israeli martial art.
- Developed for the Israel Defence Forces, it is derived from a combination of techniques used in aikido, judo, karate, boxing, and wrestling.
- It is known for its focus on real-world situations and its extreme efficiency.
Martial Arts in India
Khukri:
- Type of short sword with a distinct recurve in its blade that originated in the Indian subcontinent.
- Serves multiple purposes as a weapon and also as a regular cutting tool.
- National weapon of Nepal, traditionally serving the role of a basic utility knife for the Nepali-speaking Gurkhas.
- Symbol of Gurkha soldier in Indian Army.
Kalaripayattu:
- One of the oldest martial arts in India, Kalaripayattu. It is also widely practiced by women.
- Practiced in most parts of southern India, originated in the state of Kerala in the 4th century A. D. According to legends, sage Parasurama, who built temples and introduced martial arts, started Kalarippayattu.
- Kalari, refers to a specific type of school/gymnasium/training hall where martial arts are practiced.
- This art form includes mock duels (armed and unarmed combat) and physical exercises.
- Not accompanied by any drumming or song, the most important aspect is the style of fighting (Footwork).
- Other aspects are: fighting with Otta (an ‘S’ shaped stick), Puliyankam or sword fight, Verumkai or bare-handed fight, AngaThari or use of metal weapons.
Silambam:
- The kings which ruled in Tamil Nadu, including Pandya, Chola and Chera, had promoted it during their reign.
- The reference to the sale of silambam staves, pearls, swords and armour to foreign traders can be found in a Tamil literature known as Silappadikaram, which dates back to second century A.D.
- There are four different kinds of staves used in this art.
- First, torch silambam, lights balls of cloth at one end of the staff.
- Second produces a sonorous swishing sound.
- Third is a non-elastic staff that gives clattering sounds.
- Fourth is quite short yet powerful staff.
Thang-ta and Sarit Sarak:
- Created by the Meitei people of Manipur, Thang-ta is an armed martial art and one of the most lethal combat forms.
- Sarit Sarak, on the other hand, is an unarmed art form that uses hand-to-hand combat.
- In the 17th century, it was successfully used by the Manipuri kings to fight the British.
- Thang refers to a ‘sword’, while Ta refers to a ‘spear’, thus sword and spear are the two main elements of Thang-ta.
- The two components thang-ta and Sarit Sarak are together called Huyen Langlon.
Cheibi Gad-ga:
- One of the most ancient martial arts of Manipur, it involves fighting using a sword and a shield. It has now been modified to a stick encased in soft leather in place of a sword and a leather shield.
Pari-khanda:
- Created by Rajputs, it is a form of martial art from Bihar.
- It involves fighting using sword (Khanda) and shield (Pari).
- Its steps and techniques are widely used in Mayurbhanj Chhau dance.
Thoda:
- Originating in the State of Himachal Pradesh, Thoda is a mixture of martial arts, sport and culture.
- It takes place during Baisakhi (13th and 14th April) every year.
- The martial art relies on a player’s skill of archery.
- The equipment required for this game, i.e. wooden bows and arrows, are prepared by traditional skilled artisans.
- In the game, there are two groups of roughly 500 people each. Most of these are not archers but dancers who come along to boost the morale of their respective teams.
- The two teams are called Pashis and Saathis, who are believed to be the descendants of Pandavas and Kauravas of Mahabharata.
Gatka:
- It is a weapon based martial art form, performed by the Sikhs of Punjab.
- Gatka features the skillful use of weapons, including stick, Kirpan, Talwar and Kataar.
- The attack and defence in this art form is determined by the various positions of hands and feet and the nature of the weapon used.
Mardani Khel:
- This is a traditional Maharashtrian armed martial art, which is practiced widely in the district of Kolhapur.
- Mardani Khel focuses primarily on skills of weaponry, especially swords, swift movements and use of low stances that are suited to the hill ranges.
- It is known for the use of the unique Indian Pata (sword) and Vita (corded lance).
Inbuan Wrestling:
- It is believed to have its genesis in 1750 A.D.
- It has very strict rules that prohibit stepping out of the circle, kicking and knee bending. The way to win this is by lifting the opponent off their feet.
- This art form was regarded as a sport only after the people of Mizoram migrated from Burma to Lushai hills.
Kuttu Varisai:
- First mentioned in Sangam literature (first or second century B.C.), mainly practiced in Tamil Nadu.
- It is known for ‘empty hand combat’ and considered as an unarmed component of Silambam.
- It is used to advance athleticism and footwork through starching, yoga, gymnastics and breathing exercises.
- The major techniques used in this art include grappling, striking and locking.
- It also uses animal-based sets including snake, eagle, tiger, elephant and monkey.
Musti Yuddha:
- Originated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, it is an unarmed martial art form resembling boxing.
- Musti Yuddha incorporated the development of all three aspects, physical, mental and spiritual.
- The fights in this art are divided into four categories and are named according to the Hindu Gods.
- Jambuvanti
- Hanumanti
- Bhimaseni
- Jarasandhi
Paika:
- Paika Akhada is an Odia term, translates as ‘warrior gymnasium’.
- Performed by the people of Khandayat caste (peasant-militias) and Gopal caste in Odisha, eastern India.
- In former times they served as the Paikas (foot Soldiers) under the kings.
- Incorporates Acrobatic manoeuvres, use of the khanda (straight sword), patta (gauntlet-sword), sticks, and other weapons.
Sqay:
- Sqay is a South Asian martial art from Kashmir, which involves fighting with a sword and shield.
- In 2023, the Indian Army's Chinar Corps organized a Sqay session for girls in the Shopian district of Kashmir.
- Sqay is one of 43 sports that was included in the 2023 National Games of India.
Kathi Samu:
- It is one of the ancient martial arts of Andhra Pradesh, practiced by the royal armies.
- This prestigious martial art employs various kinds of swords.
- The place where Kathi Samu is performed is known as 'Garidi.'
- Stick fighting known as 'vairi' has an important role in Kathi Samu and it is the prelude to the actual sword fight.
- 'Gareja' in which a participant holds four swords, two in each hand and 'Dal Farri Khadga' are other important aspects of the sword skills.
Bandesh:
- Regarded as an empty-handed combat technique.
- In the competition of this ancient martial art, the conqueror is the one who takes the weapon from the other.
- There are six different stages namely, Pavithra (footwork), Rokh (blocking), Lapet (Twisting), Fekan (Throw), Cheen (Snatching) and Bandesh (Lock hold).
- Although the main principle of Bandesh is to use unarmed techniques to defeat the adversary, it is also practiced with weapons, maintaining the same principle of not wounding the enemy fatally.
Mallakhamba:
- It is a traditional sport, originating from the Indian subcontinent, in which a group of gymnasts perform aerial yoga and gymnastic postures.
- The pole is usually made from sheesham (Indian rosewood) polished with castor oil.
- Other popular versions of mallakhamba are practiced using a cane or a rope instead of a pole.
- In 2013, the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh declared mallakhamba the state sport.
InsuKnawr and Kirip Saldu:
- Insuknawr or Rod Pushing Sport is an indigenous game of Mizoram, a state in North-East India.
- Kirip Saldu: It is an indigenous form of wrestling quite popular with the Nicobarese tribe.
Varma Ati/Marma ati:
- Practised in old Travancore including Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
- It is called the southern style of Kalaripayattu.
- Its a unique ‘Neuro Martial Art’ in warfare practised by the Royal Thiruppad Nadans to defeat the enemy without any external injuries.