history of Indian material arts

Indian martial arts display a great diversity in their form and type, in keeping with the country`s rich and varied culture. Each region in India is unique in practicing martial arts in great vivacity and enthusiasm. The Sanskrit language term for martial arts is `dhanurveda`, derived from the terms dhanus meaning `bow` and veda meaning `knowledge`. Thus it literally translates into the science of archery. Since the ancient times, martial arts have found a constant reference in the various literary texts written down the ages. Thus it is evident that the tradition of Indian martial arts has followed a rather long course o development and refining. Given below is an insight into the essence of Indian martial arts.

History of Indian Martial Arts
A rather long journey can be measured in the history of Indian martial arts. Early martial traditions go back to the 2nd millennium BC. In fact it may be said here that the Agni Purana is the earliest extant manual of dhanurveda which talks about the art of war in five detailed parts. It got due mentioning in Indian Vedic literature like the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. It described how to improve a warrior`s individual artistry and kill enemies using various different methods in warfare, whether a warrior went to war in chariots, elephants, horses, or on foot. Innumerable references of Indian martial arts are found in almost every line of the Mahabharata. For example in the prolonged battle between Arjuna and Karna using bows, swords, trees and rocks, and fists, in unarmed battle where two fighters boxing with clenched fists and fighting with kicks, finger strikes, knee strikes and head butts. Other boxing fights too are enumerated in Mahabharata and Ramayana. Among varied Indian martial arts, Malla-yuddha was regarded as a prominent martial art in that era. It is a form of combat wrestling codified into four forms, which is described, in the ancient Indian epics as the fighting style of warriors such as Bhima.

The most graphic expression of the various martial art forms in the ancient times are found in various literary works. Earliest written evidence of martial arts in Southern India dates back to the Sangam literature of Tamil Nadu in about the 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD. The Akananuru and Purananuru describe martial arts of ancient Tamilakkam with the use of spears, swords, shields, bows and Silambam in the Sangam era. References to fighting are also found in ancient Buddhist texts such as the Lotus Sutra and the Hongyo-kyo. Later treatises include the Buddharata Sutra, which described Vajra Mushti, the Sushruta Samhita etc. With the advent of the Mughals, traditional and indigenous styles fused to create the popular pehlwan style. There was seen a gradual decline of the traditional Indian art forms during the British era. However, a resurgence of the various regional martial arts came about in the 1920`s.

Styles of Indian Martial Arts
Varied styles of regional martial art forms exist in India. Due to the great diversity of the country, many different styles of martial arts have developed over the ages. Broadly speaking, we can categorise them into the styles of Northern and Southern India. In northern India we see practices like Pehlwani, Gatka and the Thang Ta and Sarit. In the south, the most popular martial art forms are Kalairpayattu, Silambam, Varma Ati and Mallakhamb. Other art forms include Kushti, Banati, Paika Akhara etc.

Pehlwani: It is a martial art form which was formed as a result of the synthesis between the Mughal and traditional Indian art forms. It is almost a combination of the Persian Varzesh-e Pahlavani and the native malla-yuddha. The practioners of this style are called pehlwans while their teachers are called ustaads.

Gatka: It is a popular Sikh martial art form which involves fighting with sticks. Wooden sticks are used which are meant to emulate swords. This style developed sometime n the 19th century out of sword practice in the British army. The term gatka has now come to include all of Sikh martial arts in general, including the use of weapons such as talwar, Kirpan, Dong, bow and arrow, Kukri etc.

Thang ta: developed by the Meitei of Manipur, it is a martial art form which uses weapons, namely the sword and the spear. Other weapons include the shield and axe. The art form is practised as a ritual, a demonstration or in combat.

Kalaripayattu: It is one of the oldest Dravidian art forms practised in Kerala and the adjoining regions of Tamil Nadu. The fighting style includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods. Based on regional variations, the Kalaripayattu, northern, southern and central style Kalaripayattu is found existing within the state.

Silambam: It is a kind of martial art technique which employs the use of sticks, popular among the locals in Tamil Nadu. A popular Muslim influence has been seen in the establishment of this art form. Though originally metal weapons and long stick techniques were employed, currently only the long-stick form is in existence.

Varma Ati: It is a practice based on attacking the sensitive pressure points of the human body. It is practised in the state of Tamil Nadu. This art form is said to have been derived from Varma Cuttiram, which is traditional Tamil medicine.

Academies of Indian Martial Arts
There are a number of reputed academies located across the country that educate the people in the various martial art forms. Typically, these different schools and academies teach the martial art which is typical to the region in which they are located. Some of these Academies located in the different state are mentioned below.

Kerala
MKG Kalari Sangham: One can learn both northern and southern style here, with a rich variety of locks and joint techniques. The quality of weaponries especially long stick technique is quite high. Meipayattu is also of a high order. This Academy is located at Kuzhipangad, Chirakkara, Thalassery, Kannur, 670104, Kerala, India. The master of the Academy is K.Viswanathan Gurukkal.

C.V.N Kerala Kalari Sangam: It is one of the oldest academies established by C.V. Narayanan Nair Gurukkal in the year 1926. In order to learn the art of Kalaripayattu from this academy, one stays at the house of the master, Devdas Gurakkal and partakes of the homemeade food here. The teaching method and performances here are rather remarkable and of a very high standard. The Academy is located at S.Ram Swamy Temple East Nada Thiruvangad Thalassery 670103 Kerala, India, and the master of the Academy is C.V.Devadas Gurukkal.

Kerala Kalarippayattu Academy: This academy is located at Pillayar Kovil Road, in Kannur in Kerala. This school is mainly for foreigners who also stay at the Academy premises in cottages. Private classes are given on a one to one basis to the students.

Tamil Nadu
Simashan Institute of Martial Arts,
No8 Kalpalam Road Goripalayam , Madurai 625002, Tamil Nadu- India

Gromiya Kalaimani Silambatta Kalaizar
63 Railway Feeder Road Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli 627414, Tamil Nadu India

Rajasthan
Shri Rakesh Aakaala
Dudh Jalebi Vala Delhi Bazar Nathdwara, Rajasthan 313301 India

Orissa
Rebana Nuagaon Paika Akhada Sangha Rebana Nuagaon Puri, Orissa, India

Bharatiya Banati Mahasangha Nilamadhab Lane Baseli Sahi, Puri 752001, Orissa

Indian martial arts are thus a rich field. The immense diversity in the cultural arena has contributed immensely to the great variety and ingenuity in the form, style and practice of the same. Over the years, there has been a revival of the art forms in various regions, and thus we see a resurgence of the traditional martial arts in the field of self defence.