|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
traditional Sikh martial art of gakta is finding many takers in
the USA, the UK, France and Germany where it is being taught as a
science of combat for self-defence.
So much is its popularity that
last year, 60 Sikh men, women and children performed gatka at the
American Independence Day parade in Washington DC.
Teams from across
Britain took part in this traditional Sikh martial art tournament in
Oldbury in March this year. Gatka is the name of a stick used to
practice sword fighting. It originated in Punjab in the 15th century
but much of the gatka forms practised today in the West are
Europeanised versions of what was the original martial art of Sikhs
known as Shastar Vidyaa. Experts here say gatka, which helped
Sikhs defend themselves against Mughal invaders, has eventually
evolved into a sport and exhibition form that is shown at Sikh
festivals and is shorn of the ancient and actual combat
skills. "Gatka has been passed down as a tradition amongst the
Sikh generations. With the emigration of Sikhs to western countries,
gatka has grown again in the hearts and minds of the new generation of
Sikhs. Martial artistes in the West are slowly beginning to recognise
gatka and inquire about it," says Kawaljeet Singh of Taran
Taran-based International Veer Khalsa Gatka Dal. "However, there
it is practised as a hobby and a sport. NRIs come to us from England,
Hong Hong, France to learn Gatka and they in turn go back to teach the
groups there, which include both Sikh children and foreigners,"
Kawawljeet said. Kawaljeet’s group includes 400 gatka experts, the
youngest one being a five-year old. Though such things do not have a
place in the present-day warfare, Kawaljeet says, "Gatka is very
much relevant today. It is like any other martial art. It keeps both
your mind and body fit." "Moreover, since it was started by
Sikh Gurus, it is a part of our culture, which we need to learn,"
he says. Nanak Dev Singh of Berlin-based International Gatka
Federation said they conducted research, teacher training and the
promotion of gatka, including classes, workshops and camps and
sword-raising ceremonies. The organisation was founded in 1982 and
formalised in 1987. Weekly classes are held in Berlin, Hamburg
(Germany) and Bordeaux (France), he says on his
website. Hamburg-based Kirtan Singh and Wolfgang Frank have been
practising this art together for years as a hobby. "It has become
a part of our life," say the duo on their website. They are
teaching it now to groups across Hamburg. Weekly camps to teach gatka
are held in Berlin, Hamburg, and Bordeaux by the International Gatka
Federation. Local groups also teach gatka in San Jose, Stockton,
Fresno San Jose, Stockton, Frensco, Bakersfield, Los Angeles and
California. However, Kirtan rues that there are not many takers for
this martial art in India. "It is only taught in a few Sikh
schools and that too for some performance at the religious processions
once or twice a year." Jathedar Gurcharan Singh, a gatka teacher,
here says "we are trying to revive the interest of people in this
martial art. Already, the SGPC has introduced it as a subject at
university level in Amritsar." "It is a self defence art
like judo karate. We are trying to convince schools to teach it to
their children. There is no dearth of trained teachers who can teach
this art," he says. —PTI
|
|||
|
|
|||
