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| {{Sikhi}} | {{Sikhi}} | ||
| ⚫ | {{Indian Martial Arts}} | ||
| ⚫ | '''Gatka''' ({{lang-pa|ਗਤਕਾ}}, ''{{IAST|gatkā }}'') is a traditional ] ]. Gatka was handed down from the period of the 6th Guru of the ], ] (early ]) |
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| ⚫ | '''Gatka''' ({{lang-pa|ਗਤਕਾ}}, ''{{IAST|gatkā }}'') is a traditional ] ]. Gatka was handed down from the period of the 6th Guru of the ], ] (early ]). | ||
| ==Origin as an original system== | |||
| ''Gatka'' emerged formally from its original birthplace in the ] region of northern ]. | |||
| ==Early development== | |||
| Gat means grace, liberation, and respect in one's own power. Ka means one who belongs or one who is part of a group. Gatka means one whose freedom belongs to grace. It was originally created along three principles: | |||
| Gatka is the martial art of the Sikhs, and has been an important tradition within ]. Gatka is largely a weapons-based martial art, according to spoken tradition imparted to the Sikhs by the ] ]s in the early 16th century. The Sikhs at that time were in constant armed conflict against the ]. <ref name=Singh></ref> | |||
| ], the 10th guru of the Sikh faith, trained in the Sikh martial arts in the Punjab. One of his achievements of the founding of the ], the the warrior society that galvanized the martial energies of the Sikh community.<ref>''Merriam Webster's Collegiate Encyclopedia'' (2000) pg 662. Merriam-Webster</ref> | |||
| * it had to be easy to learn | |||
| * it had to make use of every possible weapon | |||
| * it had to allow for fighting multiple opponents at once | |||
| Guru Gobind Singh's Khalsa was a body of warriors personally to the Guru, outwardly defined by the uncut hair and other Sikh symbols. The Khalsa served as an armed wing to defend the Sikhs in face of increasingly aggressive policies. The Khalsa was involved in armed struggle against the armies of emperor ] and his local allies.<ref>C. Shackle, | |||
| Unfortunately much of it has been lost and what is left primarily exists only through oral tradition. | |||
| Arvind-pal Singh Mandair (2005). ''Teachings of the Sikh Gurus: Selections from the Sikh Scriptures''. Routledge</ref> | |||
| The men of the Khalsa were skilled fighters. Khalsa Sikhs were accustomed to view military service in terms of individual and collective honor. According to the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh, extreme courage and even death in the heat of battle was said to bring honor to the Sikh community.<ref>Heather, Streets (2004). ''Martial Races: The Military, Race And Masculinity In British Imperial Culture, 1857-1914'' pg 211-212. Manchester University | |||
| The Sikhs mastered Gatka and perfected its use in battle. Many hundreds, if not thousands, of battles were decisively won by the Sikhs, despite often being outnumbered. The techniques within Gatka were combined with the spiritual practices of the Sikhs to create a complete fighting system. Opposing forces are documented to have cursed the Sikhs for their skills in fighting. | |||
| Press</ref> | |||
| ==Movement Patterns== | |||
| The Sikhs actively used Gatka in warfare for over 200 years, until they finally enjoyed peace under their own rule, free from the ]. Since then, Gatka has been passed down as a tradition amongst the Sikh generations. With the emigration of Sikhs to western countries such as the ], Gatka has grown again in the hearts and minds of the new generation of Sikhs. Now, in the 21st century, martial artists in the West are slowly beginning to recognize Gatka and inquire about it. | |||
| The foundation of the art is a movement methodology for the use of the feet, body, arms and weapons in unison. Gatka favors rhythmic movement, without hesitation, doubt or anxiety. The attacking and defense methods are based upon the positions of the hands, feet and weapon(s) during the dexterity regimen.<ref name=Singh/> | |||
| Chanting holy verses may accompany these exercises. A three-beat-per-cycle is played by a drummer -- adding to the flowing coordination.<ref name=Singh/> | |||
| ==Origin from a prior system== | |||
| A different theory of origin is that Gatka is a remnant of ] system. According to mostly oral tradition and some writings, Shastar Vidiya was a system learned from the ]s (another kingdom in NW India) in reward for aid in liberating some fifty-two Rajput princes from the Mogul empire in India. It was perfected by the time of the tenth and last Sikh Guru. | |||
| It blended the skill practice with deep spiritualism. It taught the learners that they learn from their Gurus and also from the weapons themselves. In a manner of speaking, the users also worshipped the weapons as teachers. | |||
| The practitioners would not submit to British rule of the Punjab. | |||
| Shastar Vidiya was found intolerable by the British occupying forces and the exponents were proscribed and hunted down. Supposedly, it nearly died out except for a few surviving members. | |||
| However, it was kept alive even though the British authorities and some Sikh accommodating the new government started Gatka as a replacement for it. The British favoured Gatka as it kept Sikh militarism as a useful (as part of the British-officered Indian Army), and controllable (no latent hostility against the British interests), asset. | |||
| ==Technique== | |||
| One of the most important things learned in gatka is Paenthra. Paenthra is the ritualized footwork involved in fighting moves, and every fighting move has a different paenthra. A very important paenthra is also performed before picking up the weapon of choice. The paenthras used for picking up a weapon is unique to each gatka club, or school. One with experience in gatka would therefore be able to see which club a practitioner is from, merely by looking at their paenthra. | |||
| The arm movements are circular representing the Sikhs belief of one God who was never born and will never die, similar to one of the ], the kara(or bracelet). Some Gatka members state that the above sentences further support the theory that Gatka was in fact an authentic system passed down from Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and not the remnants of "shaster vidya".<!-- Unsourced image removed: ] --> | |||
| ==Weapons== | ==Weapons== | ||
| Line 38: | Line 26: | ||
| * Flexible weapons, such as ] and chains. | * Flexible weapons, such as ] and chains. | ||
| Other widely used weapons are ''Barcha'' (spear), ''Choori'' (knife), ''Peshkarj'' (dagger-like knife), ], ] (staff), and ]. | |||
| Gatka had none of ]'s almost unarmed fighting system (e.g. ] or ], the sharpened war wrist bracelet used in hand to hand combat and also as a ] (deadly flying disc)). | |||
| The correct use of ] is central to Gatka. The techniques vary with the nature of the weapon, such as the khanda (two-edged sword), the ''Tabar'' (axe) and the ''Barcha'' (spear). A common combination of Gatka is the sword and the shield; the ] staff is also used commonly.<ref name=Singh/> | |||
| It has few of the original fifteen weapons (''e.g.'' ] (spear), ] (large Khyber or Afghan knife), ] (dagger-like knife) etc.) except for the ] (single-edged Persian sabre), ] (staff), ] (Double-edged sword) and some other weapons. | |||
| ==Training== | |||
| This theory is also controversial as there are somewhat strong feelings for and against it. As mentioned above, Gatka is primarily a weapons based art. | |||
| Gatka groups may train in a religious or semi-religious situation, such as in a ] or in a Sikh institution. ''"Akharas"'', usually associated with ], have also been founded, with the exclusive purpose of teaching gatka.<ref name=Singh/> | |||
| Gatka students train with "both hands full", this is believed to be an excellent exercise for matching the two halves of the body. Gatka emphasizes having something in both hands, two sticks, a stick and a sword, a sword and a shield or any other combination.<ref name=Singh/> | |||
| ==Modern Controversy== | |||
| According to the Shastar Vidiyia exponents, Gatka eventually devolved into a sport and exhibition form that is shown at Sikh festivals and is shorn of the ancient and actual combat skills. There was at least one reported instance where a Shastar Vidiya exponent challenged a leading Gatka organization head to a no-holds barred match for the purpose of re-establishing the ancient methods of perfecting methods by combat. This interesting ritual has rules that reportedly gave assurances that all injuries, deaths would be forgiven in the quest for perfection and that the loser (if alive and not permanently maimed) would receive more teachings from the winner to perfect himself and then ask for a rematch with the winner. Below is a report stating that the contest had taken place and is recorded on film. Although the final result remains somewhat inconclusive, the strong feelings and controversy involved is readily apparent. | |||
| The individual's preference for weapons, combination of weapons, and movement patterns leads to the development of individual fighting methods within Gatka.<ref name=Singh/> | |||
| Currently there is a huge feud and rivalry between The International Gatka Organisation (Mainly the umbrella group, Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara) headed by Ustad Bhai Uptej Singh "Teji" and the Shastar Vidiya Organization headed by Nihang Niddar Singh. It started from when the Shastar Vidya organisation started to put down Gatka by stating superiority of Shastar Vidya and calling Gatka a mere sport. One recorded battle took place between Teji and Niddar with the fight being broken up before a winner could be found. There is no audio for the tape so what happens after the grappling begins (i.e. when Teji allegedly debunks or rebukes Niddar) is subject to conjecture. The summary following was provided by an assumed spectator present at the contest. Teji can be seen knocking Niddar's stick out of his hand thus turning the fight into a grappling match. After Niddar jumps on Teji, he is rebuked. | |||
| The video can be watched here: | |||
| ==Outside India== | |||
| http://tv.waheguroo.com/?view=21 | |||
| Sikh immigrants took the art to ].<ref></ref> A famous display of Gatka was during the celebrations of ] in ] in ], ]; ] was visibly shaken after the display of Gatka.<ref></ref> | |||
| The art was also performed on the 2005, ], Independence Day parade on | |||
| ], ], ].<ref> Haniffa, Aziz (July 22, 2005). '' Sikhs participate in July 4 parade.''India Abroad.</ref> | |||
| Gatka is a stickfighting dance practiced by the Indians in ].<ref>Milla Cozart Riggio (2004). ''Carnival: Culture in Action--the Trinidad Experience'' pg 289. Routledge</ref> | |||
| ==Notes== | |||
| <references/> | |||
| ⚫ | == References == | ||
| ⚫ | * '''Nanak Dev Singh Khalsa & Sat Katar Kaur Ocasio-Khalsa''' (1991) ''Gatka as taught by Nanak Dev Singh, Book One - Dance of the Sword'' (2nd Edition). GT International, Phoenix, Arizona. ISBN 0-89509-087-2 | ||
| ⚫ | ==See also== | ||
| ⚫ | {{Indian Martial Arts 2}} | ||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
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| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| ⚫ | == References == | ||
| ⚫ | * '''Nanak Dev Singh Khalsa & Sat Katar Kaur Ocasio-Khalsa''' (1991) ''Gatka as taught by Nanak Dev Singh, Book One - Dance of the Sword'' (2nd Edition). GT International, Phoenix, Arizona. ISBN 0-89509-087-2 | ||
| ⚫ | ==See also== | ||
| {{Indian Martial Arts 2}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 04:09, 2 May 2007
Gatka (Template:Lang-pa, gatkā) is a traditional Sikh martial art. Gatka was handed down from the period of the 6th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Sahib (early 17th century).
Early development
Gatka is the martial art of the Sikhs, and has been an important tradition within Sikh history. Gatka is largely a weapons-based martial art, according to spoken tradition imparted to the Sikhs by the martial Rajputs in the early 16th century. The Sikhs at that time were in constant armed conflict against the Mughal Empire.
Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru of the Sikh faith, trained in the Sikh martial arts in the Punjab. One of his achievements of the founding of the Khalsa, the the warrior society that galvanized the martial energies of the Sikh community.
Guru Gobind Singh's Khalsa was a body of warriors personally to the Guru, outwardly defined by the uncut hair and other Sikh symbols. The Khalsa served as an armed wing to defend the Sikhs in face of increasingly aggressive policies. The Khalsa was involved in armed struggle against the armies of emperor Aurangzeb and his local allies.
The men of the Khalsa were skilled fighters. Khalsa Sikhs were accustomed to view military service in terms of individual and collective honor. According to the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh, extreme courage and even death in the heat of battle was said to bring honor to the Sikh community.
Movement Patterns
The foundation of the art is a movement methodology for the use of the feet, body, arms and weapons in unison. Gatka favors rhythmic movement, without hesitation, doubt or anxiety. The attacking and defense methods are based upon the positions of the hands, feet and weapon(s) during the dexterity regimen.
Chanting holy verses may accompany these exercises. A three-beat-per-cycle is played by a drummer -- adding to the flowing coordination.
Weapons
It is largely weapon-based. The three primary types of weapons used are:
- Swords - Tulwar
- Sticks of bamboo (from one to three meters in length) - Lathi
- Flexible weapons, such as whips and chains.
Other widely used weapons are Barcha (spear), Choori (knife), Peshkarj (dagger-like knife), Tulwar, Lathi (staff), and Khanda.
The correct use of melee weapons is central to Gatka. The techniques vary with the nature of the weapon, such as the khanda (two-edged sword), the Tabar (axe) and the Barcha (spear). A common combination of Gatka is the sword and the shield; the lathi staff is also used commonly.
Training
Gatka groups may train in a religious or semi-religious situation, such as in a Gurdwara or in a Sikh institution. "Akharas", usually associated with Pehlwani, have also been founded, with the exclusive purpose of teaching gatka.
Gatka students train with "both hands full", this is believed to be an excellent exercise for matching the two halves of the body. Gatka emphasizes having something in both hands, two sticks, a stick and a sword, a sword and a shield or any other combination.
The individual's preference for weapons, combination of weapons, and movement patterns leads to the development of individual fighting methods within Gatka.
Outside India
Sikh immigrants took the art to England. A famous display of Gatka was during the celebrations of Hola Mohalla in Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Hounslow, west London; Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall was visibly shaken after the display of Gatka.
The art was also performed on the 2005, July 4, Independence Day parade on Constitution Avenue, Washington DC, United States.
Gatka is a stickfighting dance practiced by the Indians in Trinidad.
Notes
- ^ Singh, Arjun (2006). Gatka. Atlanta Martial Arts Directory.
- Merriam Webster's Collegiate Encyclopedia (2000) pg 662. Merriam-Webster
- C. Shackle, Arvind-pal Singh Mandair (2005). Teachings of the Sikh Gurus: Selections from the Sikh Scriptures. Routledge
- Heather, Streets (2004). Martial Races: The Military, Race And Masculinity In British Imperial Culture, 1857-1914 pg 211-212. Manchester University Press
- Gatka in Oldbury. British Broadcasting Corporation.
- Surely that man with the sword isn't. . . oh yes he is by Jonathan Petre (The Telegraph Online Edition)
- Haniffa, Aziz (July 22, 2005). Sikhs participate in July 4 parade.India Abroad.
- Milla Cozart Riggio (2004). Carnival: Culture in Action--the Trinidad Experience pg 289. Routledge
References
- Nanak Dev Singh Khalsa & Sat Katar Kaur Ocasio-Khalsa (1991) Gatka as taught by Nanak Dev Singh, Book One - Dance of the Sword (2nd Edition). GT International, Phoenix, Arizona. ISBN 0-89509-087-2
See also
| Indian martial arts | |
|---|---|
| Martial arts and combat sports | |
| Weapons | |
| Related terms | |
 Martial arts portal | |
External links
- A short film on the impact of Gatka
- International Gatka Federation (IGF)
- Gatka Akhara (groups) in the UK
- International Gatka Organisation (IGO)
- Shastar Vidiya Organisation
- BBC Website - Gatka in Britain (Oldbury) - Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan