Forms of Martial Arts in India - Eshucation

Kalaripayattu – Kerala

Kalarippayattu is a famous Indian martial art from the land of attraction Kerala and one of the oldest fighting systems in It is practised in most of the parts of south India.
A Kalari is the school or training hall where martial arts are taught
It includes strikes, kicks and some weapon-based practised
Footwork patterns are the most important key in this art form
Legend says: Parashuram started this
There is no song or drumming involved with his

Silambam – Tamil Nadu

Silambamis a weapon-based Indian martial art from Tamil Nadu. Every state has it own style of martial arts.
A wide variety of weapons are used in silamban, some of which are not found anywhere else in the Majorly used “Silambam staff” as a weapon.
Silambam art also used animal movements of the snake, tiger, eagle forms and footwork patterns is play a key role here as
Another part of Silambam is Kuttu varisai, it is the unarmed kind of martial
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

Gatka is weapon-based Indian martial art basically created by the Sikhs of Punjab. Gatka means – “One whose freedom belongs to race”.
There are many weapons used in Gatka like, Stick, Talwar, kirpan and
The attacking and defense methods are based upon the positions of the hands feet and nature of weapons
It is also displayed during the different celebrations or at fairs in Punjab

Musti Yuddha

It is an unarmed martial art from the oldest city of India “Varanasi”.
The technique used in this martial arts are punches, kicks, knees and elbow
This style is a complete art of physical, mental and spiritual
This art is very rarely visible but was very popular in the middle
It makes proper utilization of punches and elbow strikes; kicks and knee strikes are comparatively less used in Musti Yuddha, as punches mostly dominate the fight.

Musti Yuddha tournaments were mostly held in Benares on a regular basis, but due to increased agitation and fights amongst the supporters of the Musti Yuddha boxers, the sport was eventually banned

Malla -Yuddha (South India)

Malla-yuddha is the traditional form of combat-wrestling originating from the Indian
The unarmed type fighting, body to body, that unites taken, throws, levers and which is intended to subdue the opponent on the ground has very ancient
Malla-yuddha incorporates grappling, joint-breaking, punching, biting, choking and pressure point
It is closely related to Southeast Asian wrestling styles such as naban and is the ancestor of Indian wrestling is described in the 13th century Malla Purana.
Malla-yuddha is divided into four categories. Each yuddhan is named after Hindu gods and legendary fighters :
- Hanumanti – for technical superiority
- Jambuvanti – focuses on locking and holding till opponent gives up.
- Jarasandhi – breaking limbs and joints
- Bhimaseni – focuses on sheer strength

Thang Ta – Manipur

Thang Ta is a popular term for the ancient Manipuri Martial Art also known as HUYEN LALLONG.
“Thang” means “Ta” means spear. Other weapons used are shield and axe.
Manipuri martial arts with swords and spears are strong yet gracefully sophisticated
Huyen Langlon martial art from Manipur consists of two main components, armed combat and unarmed fighting
Sword and spear are the two primary weapons of huyen langlon
It is practised in 3 different ways :
- Firstly, ritualistic in nature linked with tantric practices,
- Secondly, the mesmerising performance of sword and sword dances and
- Thirdly, is the actual technique of fighting

Lathi Khela – West Bengal

Lathi is an ancient armed martial art of India. It also refers to one of the world’s oldest weapons used in martial arts.
Lathi or stick martial arts practised in Punjab and Bengal region of India
Lathi still remains a popular sport in the Indian villages
A practitioner is known as lathial

Cheigi Gadd-ga

One of the oldest martial arts of the northeast Indian state Manipur
Original fighting instrument: sword and a shield
Current modified version: a stick enveloped in soft leather and a shield, also made of leather
Cheibi refers to the stick which has a length of 2 to 5 feet while the shield has a diameter of 1 metre.

Mardani Khel – Maharashtra

Mardani Khel is an armed method of martial art created by the Maratha
This traditional martial art of Maharashtra is practiced in Suitable for hilly regions.
Was popular during the early and later medieval era and during the time of Maratha regime
It is particularly known for its use of the uniquely Indian “pata” (sword) and “vita” (corded lance).
Uses sword mainly & needs rapid movements

Pari Khanda -Bihar

Pari-khandaa style of sword and shield fighting from Bihar. “Pari” means shield & “Khanda” means sword (according to Chhau rulers).
This art is created by the rajputs
Pari-khanda steps and techniques are also used in Chau dance

Inbuan Wrestling (Mizoram)

Inbuan wrestling is a form of wrestling and combat sports that emerged in Mizoram, India
It is believed that Inbuan form of wrestling emerged in the village of Dungtlang in 1750.
It was recognized as a sport after the “Mizo” people migrated from Burma to the Lushai Hills.
The “grappling” techniques are used in this combat form, the main weapon would be the “arms” of the wrestler
Has strict rules prohibiting kicking, stepping out of the circle and bending of the knees
Aim is to lift the opponent off his feet from the ground 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

It is an unarmed Dravidian martial art used to advance athleticism and footwork through yoga, gymanstics, breathing exercises etc
Mainly practised in South India and also popular in the north-eastern part of Sri Lanka and Malaysia
This art was first mentioned in Sangam literature in the first or second century B.C.

Kuttu Varisai means ‘empty hand combat’.
It also uses animal-based sets including snake, eagle, tiger, elephant and monkey
Techniques used: Grappling, striking and locking techniques are used in this art

Thoda – Himachal Pradesh

Thoda name is derived from the round wooden piece attached to the head of an arrow to minimise its lethal potential.
It is a mixture of martial art, sport and culture
It takes place during Baisakhi every year
This martial art relies on a player’s skill of archery and can be dated back to the time of Mahabharata where bows and arrows were used in the valleys of Kullu and Manali
In the game, there are 2 groups of 500 people each. All of them are not archers but dancers also who came with them to boost the morale of their respective teams.
The two teams are called Pashis and Saathis, who believed to be the descendants of Pandavas and Kauravas of Mahabharata
Techniques used: Wooden bows, arrows are used

Paikha Akhadha – Odisha

Paikha akhada or paika akhara is an Odia term that means “warrior scholl”.
Served as training schools of the peasant militia in Odisha, eastern India
Used for practising the traditional physical exercises
Performance art with rhythmic movements and weapons being hit in time to the drum
Acrobatic maneuvres and use of the khanda(straight sword), patta(guantlet – sword), sticks and other weapons

Malla Khamb

A traditional Indian sport in which a gymnast performs aerial yoga postures
The word Mallakhamb refers to the pole used in the sport
Three popular versions of Mallakhamba are practised using a sheesham pole, cane, or rope
The name Mallakhambha derives from the terms malla meaning wrestler, and Khamb which means a pole
On April 9, 2013 the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh declared Mallakhambha as the state sport

Vajra – Mushti

Vajra Mushti is a unique Indian martial art that incorporates various techniques of hand-to-hand combat like grappling, wrestling and striking techniques
Vajra Mushti, which literally means Thunderbolt Fist, is characterised by the utilization of a knuckleduster, a small metal weapon
The knuckleduster, also known as Vajra Mushti, usually made of animal horns, is worn on the knuckles of the fighter
The main objective of this Indian martial art form is to neutralize the opponent and counter his weapon
The weapon is sometimes called Indra-musti which means Indra’s fist
The vajramusti is usually made of ivory or buffalo horn

Bandesh

Bandesh is one of the ancient Indian Martial Arts forms.
It is basically a collection of martial techniques mainly used to disarm and defeat an armed opponent without taking his life
Different types of lock holds are utilised against different kinds of weapons like daggers, swords, long staff etc
In the competition of this ancient martial art, the conqueror is the one who takes the weapon from the other

Sqay – Kashmir

Sqay is a Kashmiri martial arts form of sword-fighting.
Armed sqay makes use of a curved single-edge sword paired with a shield, or one sword in each hand.
Unarmed techniques incorporate kicks, punches, locks and chops. Sqay have different techniques single sword double sword free hand techniques and lessons of both freehand and sword.
Sqay has two events :
- Combat(Loba) – One to one
- Artistic event, in artistic there are two events one without music and other is with
The best fighters of sqay in world Arena are from Kashmir.

Saldu – Nicobar

Saldu, a form of wrestling, is one of the prominent sports of the Nicobarese tribe
It does not require a court, only vacant land
The field is divided by a line in the centre, and there are no boundary lines
The number of players is as desired, but each team is to comprise an equal number of players
Usually, a maximum of 20 players are allowed in each team

Kirip – Nicobar

Kirip is an indigenous form of wrestling quite popular with the Nicobarese tribe
In this sport, before the bout begins, wrestlers grip each other from behind with their hands, and this grip is not to be slackened till the very end of the competition
The wrestler, using various parts of the body, including the leg, tries to thrust the opponent to the ground
If a contestant’s back touches the ground, he is declared the loser

Insu Knawr – Mizoram

Rod pushing sport is an indigenous game of Mizoram, a state in North – East India
A circle of 16 ft diameter with a straight line across the circle at the center is drawn.
Suk or a wooden rod or bamboo rod shall be approximately 8 ft long and 2.5 – 3 inches in diameter

Kathi Samu – Andhra Pradesh

Kathi Samu 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 fight known as ‘vairi’ has an important role in Kothi Samu and it is the prelude to the actual swordfight. The fighting takes place between two persons brandishing long and curved swords
‘Gareja’ in which a participant holds four swords, two in each hand and ‘Dal Farri Khadga’ are other important aspects of the sword skills