Martial arts mean “arts concerned with the waging of war”.
Various Indian Martial arts have originated from various ancient war skills.
It gives & takes features from Indian yoga, dance & performing arts.
Many Indian dances have inspired & taken routines from the present martial arts.
Dance artist who also knew martial arts & incorporated them in their routines were considered “special”.
Martial Arts have their origin in the ancient India.
But many of these martial arts were prohibited by British in the wake of various protests that started from 1820’s.
But many of these continued & some of them were reviewed again from 1910 & got prominence after Independence.
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.
Malla-Yuddha (South India)
Combat-Wrestling type.
Unarmed type.
Four types:
Hanumanti – for technical superiority
Jambuvanti – focuses on locking and holding till opponent gives up
Jarasandhi – breaking limbs and joints
Bhimaseni – focuses on sheer strength
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
Gatka (Punjab)
Weapon based
Used by Sikhs mainly
Gatka means – “One whose freedom belongs to race”
Stick, Sword, kirpan or kataar used as weapon
Musti Yuddha (Varanasi)
Unarmed type
Punches, kicks, knees and elbow strikes used
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
As absolutely ritual in nature
As spectacular performance
As actual Fighting technique
Lathi (Punjab & Bengal)
Weapon Based
Cane Sticks used.
Popular more in villages
Mardani Khel (Kolhapur, Maharashtra)
Weapon Based
Created by Marathas
Suitable for hilly regions
Uses sword mainly & needs rapid movements
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
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.
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.
Cheibi Gadga (Manipur)
Weapon Based
Uses sword & shield
Victory depends more on skill than on muscle power
Sarit-Sarak (Manipur)
Unarmed Type
Used to fight with armed or unarmed opponent
Perfect in its 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
