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Revision as of 04:53, 13 August 2006
Introduction
Ancient India has a history of many martial traditions and practices, including the organised martial systems of the Kshatriya caste of hinduism, which are some of the oldest descriptions of organised martial practices documented in the Rigveda, these fighting systems include armed and unarmed fighting and other aspects such as conditioning, horse riding etc.
Prominent organised martial arts in India include the ancient fighting art of Malla-yuddha (more commonly known as Mallayuddha), which is described in the Indian epics as the fighting style of warriors such as Bhima. The art is supposed to have gained maximum prominence in ancient India at the time when the oral tradition of the Mahabharata epic was concieved, the Mahabharata was compiled in textual form during the 5th century BC, the epic's setting has a historical precedent in Vedic India, where the Kuru kingdom was the center of political power in the late 2nd and early 1st millennia BCE. It is believed that mallayuddha was regarded as a prominent martial art in that era.
Martial arts of the India are diverse in nature and have origins of different times from various different ethnic groups of ancient India. A number of ancient and sophisticated Dravidian martial arts were developed in South India including Kuttu Varisai (empty hand combat), Varma Kalai (the art of vital points) and Adithada (kickboxing) in Tamil Nadu, and Kalari Payattu (way of the arena) in Kerala. Dravidian martial arts was influential in various Indianized kingdoms of Southeast Asia. Some scholars claim that martial arts of the Indian sub-continent was also influential in China and Japan.
Influence of Indian martial arts
Several martial arts of prominence including those emanating from the Shaolin temple and even modern martial arts such as Brazillian Jiu Jitsu officialy credit India as their origin.
Legend holds that Bodhidharma (Chinese: Ta Mo; Japanese: Daruma) was the third child of the Pallava king Sugandan from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. He trained in breathing exercises and combat, namely in the arts of Varma Kalai and Kuttu Varisai. Bodhidarma also studied Dhyana Buddhism and became the 28th patriarch of that religion.
Following the death of his master, Bodhidharma travelled to China to spread buddhism. After appearing in the court of emperor Wu-Di of the Liang dynasty, he settled down in the Shaolin, in the province of Henan (northern China), where he is said to have installed many martial practices leadin to the development of Chinese martial arts such as Kung Fu. In the monastery, Bodhidharma lived for 9 years and is also credited for the development of Zen Buddhism.
Alex Doss, President of the Tamil Sangam at San Diego State University, claims India to be a vital influence for the development of martial arts such as Bando, Lethwei, Muay Thai (kickboxing), Bersilat, Silambam, Pentjak Silat , Kali , Escrima and Dumog (wrestling) citing that these arts developed either in Indianized kingdoms or in kingdoms having strong ties with ancient India.
The recent decline of martial practices
The occupation of India by England was instrumental in the decline of Indian martial arts. The british supressed several Indian martial arts to obscurity during the British Raj. The rule of the british saw Indian economy turn from the wealthiest in the world to the poorest, leading to widespread poverty, illitracy, overpopulation and the ultimate breakup of undivided India into many smaller countries.
During the recent years, Indian martial arts have obscure, with many martial arts almost extinct and many others being practiced on a microscopic scale.
Various Indian martial arts
- Adithada (Kickboxing)
- Bothati
- But Marma Atti / Marma Adi
- Chakram
- Gatka
- Inbuan Wrestling
- Kabaddi
- Kalarippayattu (Way of the Arena)
- Kuttu Varisai (Empty Hand Combat)
- Lathi
- Mallak-rida
- Malla-yuddha
- Mizo Inchai
- Mukna
- Niyuddha-kride
- Pancavarunum
- Pata
- Pehlwani
- Shastar Vidiya
- Silambam Nillaikalakki
- Savasu
- Thang Ta
- Varma Kalai (The Art of Vital Points)
- Vajra Mushti / Vajra Mukti (Diomand Fist)
Indian martial arts in popular culture
- Dhalsim, a popular charecter from the Street Fighter series practices a martial form of Yoga as his fighting style.
- In the video game Shadow Hearts: Covenant, Gama, appears as the mentor of Joachim Valentine, one of the characters who joins the player's party. Throughout the game, Joachim can challenge Gama to one-on-one matches in order to learn new wrestling moves.
- In the Street Fighter EX video game series, character Darun Mister is modelled after The Great Gama.
- Captain Nemo, from the comic book The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (and its film adaptation), is shown to practice the Sikh martial art of Gatka.
See Also
External Links
Doss, Alex. "Thamizhar Martial Arts".
References
- Sharma, Pratap. Zen Katha: Inspired by the Life of Bodhidarma, founder of Zen and Martial Arts
- Zarilli, Phillip. When the Body Becomes all Eyes
- Encyclopecia of Martial Arts
- Broughton, Jeffrey. The Bodhidarma Anthology
- Hsuan, Hua. The Intention of Patriarch Bodhidarma’s coming from the West
- Balakrishnan, P. Kalarippayattu
- Madras Institute of Asian Studies. Varma Cuttiram
- Raj, Manuel J. Silambam: Technique and Evaluation
- Raj, Manuel J. The origin and the historical development of Silambam fencing:an ancient self-defense sport of India
- New Delhi: Sports Authority of India. Indigenous Games and Martial Arts of India
- International Tamil Language Foundation. The Handbook of Tamil Culture and Heritage
- Winderbaum, Larry. The Martial Arts Encyclopedia
- Ramaswamy, Sumathi. The Lost Land of Lemuria: Fabulous Geographies, Catastrophic Histories
- Lewis, J. Lowell. Ring of Liberation: Deceptive Course in Brazilian Martial Arts
- Capoeira, Nestor. Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight Game
- Kraithat, Panya. Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting
- Vaitayanon, Kumron. Muay Thai: The Art of Eight Limbs
- Paladin Press. Fighting Arts of Indonesia: Combat Secrets of Silat and Kuntao
- Wiley, Mark V. Filipino Martial Arts: Cabales Serrada Escrima
- Galang, Reynaldo S. Classic Arnis
- Diego, Antonio. The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo
- Berk, William R. Chinese Healing Arts
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