Martial Artforms in India: How a maulvi in Kashmir came to the rescue of thang-ta

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In Kashmir, a maulvi stepped in to save thang-ta by drawing youngsters to the fascinating sport of thang-ta in Jammu & Kashmir.

What are the various Martial Artforms in India?

Thang-Ta: Manipur

Thang-Ta is a traditional martial art form from Manipur.

Thang-Ta literally means ‘sword and spear’. It is one aspect of Huyen Langlon (art of war or method of safeguarding). Its other aspect is Sarit Sarak that involves unarmed combat.  

Silambam: Tamil Nadu

Silambam is an ancient martial art form of Tamil Nadu.This style is mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature.

The word ‘Silam‘ (in Tamil) stands for hills and ‘Mambam‘ stands for bamboo from the hills. 

Kalaripayattu: Kerala

Kalaripayattu is a famous Indian martial art from Kerala. It is one of the oldest fighting systems. It is practised in most of the parts of south India.

The place where this martial art is practiced is called a ‘Kalari’. It includes strikes, kicks and some weapon-based practised

Footwork patterns are the most important key in this art form

Musti Yuddha: Varanasi

It is basically an unarmed technique of fighting. This technique of the martial art basically belongs to the city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

In this martial art, the use of punches, kicks, knees and elbows are very prominent. It teaches how to protect oneself without the use of arms and ammunition.

Gatka: Punjab

Gatka is a traditional martial art form associated with the Sikh gurus. It imbibes sword and stick fighting skills and self-control.

It is believed to have originated when the 6th Sikh Guru Hargobind adopted ‘Kirpan’ for self-defence during the Mughal era.

Kathi Samu: Andhra Pradesh

Kathi Samu is an ancient and historical martial art which originated in Andhra Pradesh. Kathi basically means sword and Kathi Samu is a martial art which is fighting with swords. 

‘Garidi’ is the name given to the location where Kathi Samu is performed.

In Kathi Samu, the stick fight known as ‘vairi’ plays a significant part as a precursor to the real sword fight.

Other essential components of sword skills include ‘Gareja,’ in which a person holds four swords, two in each hand.

Sqay: Kashmir

Sqay is a martial art that belongs to Kashmir. It is a kind of sword-fighting.

A curved single-edged sword and a shield are used by armed sqay.

Mardani khel: Maharashtra

​​Mardani khel is an armed martial art from Maharashtra. It is particularly known for its use of the uniquely Indian patta (sword) and vita (corded lance).

Source: The post is based on the article “Martial Artforms in India: How a maulvi in Kashmir came to the rescue of thang-ta” published in PIB on 7th June 2022.