Gatka The Sikh Martial Art and an indigenous sport of India

Gatka The Sikh Martial Art: Gatka, a traditional kind of self-defense martial arts, is much more than a game with sticks. It is also a spiritual discipline, often known as Khutka. It is a fusion of athletic flamboyance with holy commitment. The art is also known as ‘Adi-Shakti Yoga,’ or ‘Yoga for Self-Empowerment.’ It is more than simply a martial art; it is a way of looking at things and living with joy and satisfaction.

Gatka’s The Sikh Martial Art Origin and History:

Gatka is a Punjabi term that translates literally to pieces of wood used as swords. Gatka’s primary weaponry, among others, has been handed down through centuries and recorded in Sikh history. Sri Guru Hargobind Singh Ji carried two swords, Miri and Piri, which represented power and devotion, respectively. It is a form to defend oneself.

Nihangs, or armed Sikh warriors, are the individuals that play it. Sikh warriors utilized Gatka widely to protect themselves against Mughals and their crimes in the 16th and 17th centuries. We regard Guru Gobind Singh as history’s greatest Gatka fighter.

Gatka The Sikh Martial Art Practice in the Present:

The Gatka act that we witness now originated in the early nineteenth century. Basically, there were two styles: traditional (Rasmi) and sports (Khel). Formal regulations for the sport were formed in 1936. Surprisingly, the University Of Punjab Patiala is the only institution that provides a one-year diploma program in learning this art form. The NGO ‘Sarbat da Bhala’ sponsors 75 percent of the whole fee, which is Rupees. 25,000, and the student simply needs to pay the additional 25 percent.

Gatka has become an important and amusing feature of many Sikh festivals, processions, and Gurdwaras. It is particularly after its rebirth and codification by the World Gatka Federation in 1987. Today, it is a legitimate sport. There are players at the national level, according to the Gatka Federation of India. It was founded in 2008. It is a symbol of the protection and advancement of a fading but magnificent type of medieval martial arts, encasing, protecting, and conserving our rich culture and heritage.

The Government of Punjab has now formally recognized Gatka as a game under its policy. The participants enjoy the same 3 percent quota as other sportspersons during admissions.

More about the Gatka The Sikh Martial Art:

This martial art has progressed from bare-handed combat to the use of swords, ceremonial daggers, lathis, knives, wooden poles, and other weapons. One should begin by mastering the fundamentals with a wooden stick. Kirpans are afterward utilized. They come in a variety of forms and sizes to meet the needs of each individual.

Thereafter, the shields appear. They, too, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from basic, simple shapes to bulky, spikey shapes. Other Shastras are ready to master this art form once one has mastered the usage of these fundamental weapons. Handling and using those weapons may be deadly, thus using them requires a high level of discipline, attention, and precise technique.

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