Types

Description

Kalaripayattu

• Kalaripayattu, one of India’s oldest martial arts, originated in Kerala around the 3rd century BC. 
• It is practised in most parts of Southern India and includes mock duels, physical exercises, and a style of fighting that is primarily focused on footwork, kicks, strikes, and weapon-based practice. 
• It forms the basis of all martial art forms, including Karate and kung fu.
• The art is still rooted in traditional rituals and ceremonies and includes techniques such as Uzhichil, fighting with Otta, Maipayattu, Puliyankam, Verumkai, and Angathari. 
• Even women practice this art, and it is still rooted in traditional rituals and ceremonies.

Silambam

• Silambam, a modern and scientific martial art in Tamil Nadu, was promoted by Pandyas, Cholas, and Cheras during their reign. 
• The silambam bamboo was a popular trading item with traders and visitors from Rome, Greece, and Egypt, and was mentioned in the 2nd AD Tamil literature, Silappadikaram.
• The long staff is used for mock fighting and self-defence. 
• Techniques include swift foot movements, hand-waving, thrust, cut, chop, and sweep to achieve mastery and development of force, momentum, and precision. 
• Players must be trained to diffuse uncontrollable mobs using strokes like snake, monkey, and hawk hits, as well as deflect stones thrown by them.

Thang-ta and Sarit Sarak

• Thang-ta,an armed martial art created by the Meitei people of Manipur, is considered one of the most lethal combat forms. 
• Sarit Sarak, an unarmed art form, uses hand-to-hand combat. 
• Their history dates back to the 17th century when they were used by Manipuri kings against the British. 
• Despite being banned by the British after their capture, they came back to the limelight post-independence. 
• The two primary components of Thang-ta are a sword and a spear. (Thang-“sword,” and Ta – “spear.”)
• The combined name of the two parts, Thang-ta and Sarit Sarak, is Huyen Langlon.

Gatka

• Gatka is a weapon-based martial art form performed by Sikhs in Punjab, showcasing skillful use of weapons like sticks, Kirpan, Talwar, and Kataar. 
• The art form’s attack and defence are determined by hand and foot positions and weapon nature. 
• Gatka is displayed at various celebrations, including fairs, and signifies freedom and grace.

Cheibi Gad-ga 

• It is an ancient martial art from Manipur, involving fighting using a sword and shield.
• It has been modified to a soft leather stick instead. The contest takes place in a 7-meter circle with two lines 2 meters apart. 
• The Cheibi stick is 2 to 2.5 feet long, and the shield is 1 meter in diameter. Victory is determined by points earned during a duel based on skills and brute force.

Pari-khanda

• It is a martial art from Bihar, created by Rajputs, involving sword and shield fighting. It is still practiced in Bihar and is widely used in Chhau dance. 
• The name combines the words ‘Pari’ meaning shield and ‘khanda’ meaning sword, indicating the use of both weapons in the art.

Thoda

• Originating from Himachal Pradesh, is a blend of martial arts, sports, and culture. 
• It takes place during the Baisakhi festival in April and involves community prayers to invoke the blessings of Goddesses Mashoo and Durga. 
• The martial art relies on archery skills and dates back to the epic battles in Mahabharata. 
• The game involves two groups of around 500 people each, mostly dancers, and is played in a marked court to ensure discipline. 
• The teams are called Pashis and Saathis, believed to be descendants of Pandavas and Kauravas of Mahabharata. 
• The archers aim for the leg below the knee, as there are negative points for striking other parts of the body.

Kuttu Varisai (Empty-Hand Silambam)

• Kuttu Varisai, first mentioned in Sangam literature, translates to ’empty hand combat’ and is primarily practised in Tamil Nadu.
• This is an unarmed Dravidian martial art that enhances athleticism and footwork through starching, yoga, gymnastics, and breathing exercises. 
• Major techniques include grappling, striking, and locking, and it uses animal-based sets like snake, eagle, tiger, elephant, and monkey.

Musti Yuddha

• It is an unarmed martial art form originating in Varanasi and is a popular art form that incorporates physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. 
• It uses techniques like kicks, punches, knee, and elbow strikes. 

Malla Khamb

• It is a gymnastic and martial arts form, combining acrobatics, strength training, and combat techniques. 
• It is practiced in Madhya Pradesh.
• Practitioners perform intricate postures using a stationary vertical pole.
  • The pole, often made of Sheesham (Indian rosewood), serves as a central training implement.

Malla Yuddha

• This traditional combat wrestling is the oldest known codified form of fighting in the Indian Subcontinent. 
• It is related to other Southeast Asian wrestling styles including Naban.
• Famous practitioners included Gautama Buddha, Krishna Deva Raya, etc.
• The art is divided into four categories, named after Hindu Gods who excelled in it. 
  • Jambuvanti: involves forcing opponents into submission through locking and holding. 
  • Hanumanti: focuses on technical superiority. 
  • Bhimaseni: focuses on shear strength. 
  • Jarasandhi: focuses on limb and joint breaking.
• Vajra-Mushti: It shares its training methodology with malla-yuddha and uses a knuckle duster-like weapon for striking and defence.

Inbuan Wrestling

• It is a Mizoram martial art dating back to 1750 AD and is characterised by strict rules prohibiting stepping out of the circle, kicking, and knee bending. 
• The goal is to lift the opponent off their feet while adhering to these rules, and the wrestlers must catch their waist belt.

Lathi

• It is an ancient armed martial art form in India and is a weapon used by Indian police to control crowds.
• It refers to a stick, typically cane sticks, 6-8 feet long, sometimes metal-tipped. 
• Despite being one of the world’s oldest martial arts, Lathi remains a popular sport in villages in Punjab and Bengal.

Mardani Khel 

• It is a traditional Maharashtrian martial art practised in Kolhapur, focusing on weaponry skills, swift movements, and low stances. 
• It is known for its use of the unique Indian Patta (sword) and Vita (corded lance), with famous practitioners including Shivaji.

Sqay 

• It is a traditional martial art from Kashmir that utilises wooden weapons and involves fluid, graceful movements.