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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