Indian Traditional Martial Art Research

Colonisation of India, had a massive impact on the self-defense and traditional martial arts practices in India. A lot of which was either suppressed or methodically erased by the British Raj to be able to suppress and colonize our country. This brought in the sense of literal and metaphorical loss of our martial arts knowledge and the extensive practices that we had across cultures for self-defense. With this research project, we would like to travel to locations and revive, absorb and propel the various martial arts that have now been long forgotten, within local communities of origination and across the country. We will take a step by step approach to first understand the art form before mastering it and then cascading the same with our masters to the masses, who’ve had a lineage that crosses a century in learning and teaching martial arts in the country.
Here are some of the lost forms of martial arts –
Kalaripayyattu ( Kerala)
Silambam (Tamil Nadu)
Kuttuvarashi (Tamil Nadu)
Karasammu (Andrapradesh)
Malla Yudha (Uttar Pradesh)
Thang-Ta and Sarit Sarak (Manipur)
Gatka (Punjab)
Adi Murai (Tamil Nadu)
Lathi (Punjab)

SILAMBAN, Tamil Nadu

A humble stick can do wonders and also become a weapon
when in the right hands. Silamban, an ancient martial art
from Tamil Nadu uses the versatile herb bamboo to carve
out one of the deadliest weapon, a stick. a combination of
blocks, strikes and thrusts techniques are used in the
practice of Silamaban. In Silamban emphasis is on using
the natural abilty of the body : hands, elbows, feet and
knees and developing speed, response, agility and
strength. Its the combination of the body and stick and the
relationship between the both that becomes integral to this
martial art form.
Silamban’s history can be traced to 1000BCE and can be
found in Tamil Sangam Literature thus making it one of the
oldest martial arts in the world. The swishing and striking
sound of the sticks and the sychronized movement makes
Silamban appear almost like a war dance. And truly in the
past Silamban was used as a means of self-defence and
warfare. Now the practice as taken a form that promotes
welness of the body and mind.

KUTTU VARISAI , Tamil Nadu

Sometimes all you need, is just your mere hands. The term
Kuttu means “punch “and Varisai means “in sequence” in
Tamil. Since there is no external weapon used the art form
is influenced by animal movements. This martial art form
uses the animal movements of striking, grappling, throws
and locks using almost every part of the body just like any
animal would do when faced with a danger. Its these
animal like movements and insticts that require an
individual to have a quick response and react mechanism.

Footwork, bare hand techniques and body awareness form
the backbone for this practice.
Kuttu Varisai was first time recorded in the Tamil Sangam
literature between 500BC-300BC and was practiced before
12000 BC. Owing to its origin all martial art forms in the
world are a direct or indirect derivation of Kuttu Varisai. A
prelude of warming up the body through various stretching
and breathing exercises forms the starting point of the
practice. What follows is a series of attacks and counter
attacks from both the opponents , always moving. Often
the practioner can be seen mimicking animal like
movements such as of the tiger, elephant, snake, eagle
and monkey.

MALLA YUDDHA, Uttar Pradesh

Yodha, a term symbolic of warrior or a fighter. Malla
Yuddha can rightly be called the ancestor of wrestling and
considered one of the oldest form of combat fighting in the
world. The term denotes an encounter or prize fight ,malla
meaning wrestler, boxer, athlete and yuddha means fight,
battle or conflict.
The combat art employs grappling, technical superiority,
punching, locks, holds, breaking of limbs and joints. Mallas
train and fight in a traditional arena or akhara made of clay
or loose soil. Now the art form is also referred as khusti or
pehlawani. One of the key aspect of the prcatice is that its
an ode to Hanuman and every akahara has a Hanuman
temple attached to it.
This art requires great amounts of stamina ,physical
fitness, ability to lift and quick muscle reflexes.

GATKA, Punjab

Sikh and valour is a sacred combination.Its this
combination that finds its placing in Gatka, a martial art
form associated with the Sikh Gurus. Gatka is not just a
physical combat technique but also a way to connect with
the spritual aspects of Sikhism. Gatka comprises of both
armed and unarmed techniques of combat. Practitioners of
Gatka, known as Gatkaars, perform choreographed sequences
called “routines” or “forms” that involve a combination of offensive
and defensive movements. These routines are designed to simulate
combat scenarios and enhance the skills of the practitioners.
Speed, agilty and co-ordiantion form the crux of this art.
Gatka was introduced by the 10 th Sikh Guru, Guru Govind sikh for
self defense. Its was a must learn skill for every t Sikh. But now
Gatka is practiced as a cultural expression and a form of physical
fitness. The practice of Gatka also helps to develop mental focus
and discipline.

ADI MURAI, Tamil Nadu

“Hit where it hurts” a phrase is synonyms with Adi Murai.
The word Adimurai is a Tamil terminology where adi means
“to hit or strike” and murai means method or procedure.
Adimurai is a martial art that emphasizes bare-knuckle
strikes and defense. One of the most distinctive feature of
the practice is the knowledge and application of Varma
points or energy centres of the body. The art involves
strking or manipulating these ponts to deliver power
attacks or heal injuries. Thus the martail art also has a
healing angle to it. Adi murai has both unarmed and armed
techniques. Also the knowledge of Varma points striking is
a well guarded secret only taught to a select few.

Adimurai is deeply rooted in Tamil culture and has its origins in the
ancient Tamil texts, particularly the Sangam literature. It is believed
to have been practiced by Tamil warriors and healers in ancient
times. Adi Murai is truly a martial art form that encapsulates combat,
healing and sprituality all into one.

LATHI, Punjab/ West Bengal

Jski lathi ,uski bhais when translated” the right or power belongs to
the one who wields the lathi”. Lathi Khela a martial art common to
both West Bengal. The word lathi, means stick and khela refers to
game, when put together means “ game of sticks”. Often the rich
Zamindars hired people with lathis for protection and threat
denoting power and status in the society. The British introduced
Lathis as a weapon for the Indian Police in the 19th Century. This
gave birth to the lathi charge used to disperse crowds. In this
martial art practice, one uses lathis , made from the male bamboo
plant and sometimes even bounded by one or two metal rings.
The movement of Lathi is balanced, organized, symmetrical,
stimulating, powerful, pulsing, wavelike, meditative, hypnotic ,
therapeutic, dance, exercise and fun.

THANG- TA / SARIT-SARAT, Manipur

The northeast part of India has glorious history of various martial art
forms. Thang- Ta “ The art of sword and spear “
is a traditional martial art of Manipur. Its part of the great heroic
tradition of Manipur,belonging to the Meetei Tribe . The art form
developed from the war environment of Manipur and played an
important role in geopolitical environment. Thang-Ta is an armed
form of martial art which integrates various external weapons like
sword, spear, dagger etc. The practice emphasises on physical
control through soft and powerful movements in tandem with
rhythms of breathing.Thang- Ta has both external and internal
components of physicality,health, concentration, meditation, spiritual
and ritualistic. The umarmed combat from the Meetei tribe is known
as Sarit- Sarat and often Thang-Ta and Sarit -Sarat are combined
together. Emphasis is laid on striking balance and co-ordination.

Yoga Research

Yoga’ has its roots from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ which means to join, unite or come together. It aims to connect our mind and body and to help them work together as one unit. The practice of Yoga is thus a spiritual focuses on achieving harmony between an individual’s mind and body.  It’s through the practice of asanas and pranayams that can individual can benefit from Yoga and it’s the combination of both that leads to a yogic way of life. The  teachings of Yoga have sprung from the soil of India which is more popularly known as “sanatana dharma” or the “eternal way”. 

Vedas, The Upanishads, Epics, Puranas have described  yoga in various capacities all aiming to achieve the balance of body and mind. Thus Body, Breath, Mind and Diet are the four pillars of Yoga. 

The essence of yoga has gained global popularity due to its profound positive effects on mental, emotional and physical well-being. The combination of Asanas (physical poses or postures) with Pranayama (breathing exercise) and Meditation have shown immense promising health outcomes. This has also led to various different forms and streams of the Yoga practice. 

HATHA YOGA

The word Hath means force or stubborn; when split the word Ha means Sun and Tha means the moon. Therefore hatha is practice that aims to bring a balance between the sun and moon energies within an individual through various asanas. Hatha yoga works on the body at the physical level which translates to the mental well being. The emphasis on the physical body is the foremost approach because it’s believed that one can master the mind through body. 

So the practice of Hatha yoga involves three essential elements, including asanas (physical practice), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (Dhyana). 

The well-known text on Hatha yoga – The Hatha Yoga Pradipika includes fifteen primary postures, seven of which are seated and eight non-seated, as well as an amalgamation of additional postures, totalling 84 asanas.

It is a practice of balancing and uniting the opposite forces inside the human body. By harmonizing these two opposite energies  one can overcome the mind and body stability that would eventually translate to thoughts , words and actions of an individual. Hatha is the base form of all Yoga practices and every other form is either a derivative or influenced by it. 

ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA

Ashtanga means eight limbs ;  Yama ( abstinence), Niyama ( observances), Asana ( postures), Pranayama ( breathing), Pratyahara (withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana ( meditation) and Samadhi ( absorption).  The great Guru Pattabhi Jois developed the third limb Asana into a series of movement and breath and that is popularly known as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga . Ashtanga  Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic form made up of six series/levels with a fixed order of postures.  A student moves from one series to the other in an order. Therefore the practice commands discipline and focus as its core requirement.

There are several key principles that underline the practice . This multiple-pronged approach promotes  physical health and mental wellbeing. These five principles are necessary for a successful practice:

Ujjayi pranayama: This specific breathing technique is used throughout the practice. A slow audible breathing technique used to warm, energize and increase focus and concentration. Additional pranayama techniques are only taught to advanced students.

Drishti: A specific drishti, or focal point, is used in each asana. This helps create a more focused and meditative practice.

Vinyasa: The core of the practice is synchronizing the breath to the sequence of postures and transitions in the series.

Bandha: The engagement of the bandhas, or body locks, is encouraged throughout the class to seal in the prana energy and create core stability.

Daily practice: A six-days-per-week routine is encouraged, with Saturday as the rest day. “Moon days,” the days on the full and new moon are also rest days, and women often refrain from practicing during menstruation.

The structure and frequency of the practice is designed to improve body and overall wellness. It’s a strenuous practice and can improve flexibility, breathing, and balance if practiced regularly. 

IYENGAR YOGA

The Oxford dictionary defines Iyengar Yoga”,  as “a type of Hatha yoga focusing on the correct alignment of the body, making use of straps, wooden blocks, and other objects as aids in achieving the correct postures. Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar (14 December 1918 – 20 August 2014) was an Indian teacher of yoga and author. He is founder of  “Iyengar Yoga”, and was considered one of the foremost yoga gurus in the world. Thus alignment, sequence and timing are the three main pillars of Iyengar Yoga and every asana is approached keeping the above in mind.  Mr. Iyengar recognised that all bodies are unique and have different strengths and weaknesses. He, therefore, advocated the use of props – blocks, chairs, belts, and blankets, etc. – to help students to gain the correct alignment suitable for their individual body. This ensured that asanas could be practiced safely, harmoniously and benefits could be extended to a larger base of people from beginners to intermediate to advanced. Holding the poses for longer helps to develop strength and increase in flexibility, as well as encourages a deeper connection to the breath and overall concentration. 

Irrespective of whatever form of yoga practice one does, the overall benefit benefits of yoga are improved fitness, improved flexibility, reduction in body aches and pain, reduced depression, better control on diabetes and blood pressure problems, mental sharpness, better sleep, better immunity to combat diseases, slower cellular ageing, reduced stress and inflammation, and improved heart health, better spine health and an overall sense of wellness. The popularity of yoga all around the world speaks volumes about its impact and contribution.