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==Introduction== |
==Introduction== |
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[[Mahajanapadas|Bharatavarsha]] (Ancient [[North India|Northern India]])<ref>{{cite book | last = Sastri | first = K.A. Nilakanta | year = 1970 | title = Advanced History of India | publisher = Allied Publishers | location = Bombay | pages = 3, 10, 50, 67-71, 80, 132, 138, 142, 310, 316}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Sastri | first = K.A. Nilakanta | year = 1967 | title = Age of the Nandas & Mauryas | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass | location = Delhi | pages = 171-182, 248}}</ref> and [[Tamilakam|Tamilakkam]] (Ancient [[South India|Southern India]]) <ref>{{cite book | last = Pillai | first = V. Kanakasabhai | year = 1997 | title = The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago | publisher = Asian Educational Services | location = Delhi; Madras | pages = 2, 10 – 39, 102, 105, 106, 113, 116, 121, 138, 194}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Ramaswamy | first = Sumathi | year = 2004 | title = The Lost Land of Lemuria: Fabulous Geographies, Catastrophic Histories | publisher = University of California Press | location = Berkeley; London | pages = 107-109, 176}}</ref> were centers of several martial traditions and practices until it became a unified [[India]] during the time of British rule around the 1700s. Some of the older traditions include organised martial systems as practiced by the [[Kshatriya]] caste of [[Hinduism]], which are some of the oldest descriptions of organised martial practices documented in the [[Rigveda]], these systems include armed and unarmed combat and aspects such as meditation, conditioning, horse riding etc. |
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[[image:FatDeepak.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Lord Deepak [[Hanuman]] is worshipped by wrestlers in India]] |
[[image:FatDeepak.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Lord Deepak [[Hanuman]] is worshipped by wrestlers in India]] |
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[[Ancient India]] is widely considered to be the origin of martial arts, several Indian martial practices and traditions, like the martial forms of [[Yoga]], [[Malla-yuddha]] (more commonly known as Mallayuddha) and the Kshatriya systems of organised armed and unarmed combat as described in the Rigveda predate other ancient traditions such as the Greek martial art of Pankration, which was introduced in the Olympics around 648 BC and Egyptian martial arts. |
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Various forms of [[Yoga]] emphasise on the knowledge of pressure points and manipulation of these points to achive desired results, accounts of these arts being used by the Indian monks (both [[hindu and buddhist) for self defence in events of violent assault during long journeys are abundant in both the ancient texts and inscriptions. Images of a meditating yogi from the Indus Valley Civilization are thought to be 6 to 7 thousand years old. The earliest written accounts of yoga appear in the Rig Veda.[[Image:Gama1916.jpg|thumb|the [[Great Gama]] carries a gada, the weapon of mythological warriors of India]] |
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The fighting systems belonging to the Kshatriya caste of hinduism are some of the oldest descriptions of organised martial arts documented in the Rigveda, these fighting systems include armed and unarmed fighting and other aspects such as conditioning, horse riding etc. |
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Mythological figures in the Ramayana are known to practice several martial arts, lord Rama and his brother Lakshman have trained in archery and Lord Hanuman is revered as a fierce wrestler, still worshipped by the Indian practitioners of Pehlwani. The Ramayana was written down in 5th century BC and the events of the epic have also been dated to as early as 6000 BCE by adherents of archaeoastronomy.[1] |
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The other Indian martial art system to gain prominence as one of the oldest martial arts in history is the 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.[[Image:fatkid.JPG|thumb|left|Holy Gamma at age two.]] |
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Some of the older traditions include organised martial systems as practiced by the [[Kshatriya]] caste of [[Hinduism]], which are some of the oldest descriptions of organised martial practices documented in the [[Rigveda]], these systems include armed and unarmed combat and aspects such as meditation, conditioning, horse riding butt naked etc. |
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Organised martial arts in India include the ancient martial art of [[Malla-yuddha]][http://www.kathinayoga.com/KalariWorld/Articles/other_article3.html] (more commonly known as ''Mallayuddha''), which is described in the Indian epics as the wrestling style of warriors such as [[Bhima]]. The art is supposed to have gained maximum prominence in [[Mahajanapadas|Bharatavarsha]] 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)|Kuru]] kingdom was the center of political power in the late [[2nd millennium BC|2nd]] and early [[1st millennium BC|1st]] millennia BCE. It is believed that mallayuddha was regarded as a prominent martial art in that era. |
Organised martial arts in India include the ancient martial art of [[Malla-yuddha]][http://www.kathinayoga.com/KalariWorld/Articles/other_article3.html] (more commonly known as ''Mallayuddha''), which is described in the Indian epics as the wrestling style of warriors such as [[Bhima]]. The art is supposed to have gained maximum prominence in [[Mahajanapadas|Bharatavarsha]] 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)|Kuru]] kingdom was the center of political power in the late [[2nd millennium BC|2nd]] and early [[1st millennium BC|1st]] millennia BCE. It is believed that mallayuddha was regarded as a prominent martial art in that era. |
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Martial arts of the [[India]] are diverse in nature and have origins of different times from various different ethnic groups. A number of ancient and sophisticated [[Dravidian|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 [[Kalarippayattu|Kalari Payattu]] (way of the arena) in [[Kerala]]. |
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==Influence of Indian martial arts== |
==Influence of Indian martial arts== |
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[[Image:Fatso.JPG|thumb|left|Little Gamma after a rigorous [[Yoga]] session. He was 9 years old when he visited his first McDonalns in the good ole U.S. of A.]] |
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[[Karl Istaz]] travelled to India to train with Indian wrestlers and incorporated their training methods in shoot wrestling, wrestlers like [[Yoshiaki Fujiwara]] have applied these methods to train shoot wrestlers around the world. [http://www.bigsteel.iwarp.com/Articles3/Indian-Club-Swinging-Leveraging.html][http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=CKCLUB8][http://www.mattfurey.com/one_workout_091204.html][http://www.mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html][http://www.scientificwrestling.com/public/180.cfm?sd=2][http://www.scientificwrestling.com/products/item16.cfm][http://www.mattfurey.com/powerblitzer.html][http://indianclubs.com/cstkdtarticle.html][http://www.scientificwrestling.com/products/item1.cfm][http://www.scientificwrestling.com/products/item4.cfm] |
[[Karl Istaz]] travelled to India to train with Indian wrestlers and incorporated their training methods in shoot wrestling, wrestlers like [[Yoshiaki Fujiwara]] have applied these methods to train shoot wrestlers around the world. [http://www.bigsteel.iwarp.com/Articles3/Indian-Club-Swinging-Leveraging.html][http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=CKCLUB8][http://www.mattfurey.com/one_workout_091204.html][http://www.mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html][http://www.scientificwrestling.com/public/180.cfm?sd=2][http://www.scientificwrestling.com/products/item16.cfm][http://www.mattfurey.com/powerblitzer.html][http://indianclubs.com/cstkdtarticle.html][http://www.scientificwrestling.com/products/item1.cfm][http://www.scientificwrestling.com/products/item4.cfm] |
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Indian martial arts declined as Western colonialism disrupted the livelihoods of India's martial castes. |
Indian martial arts declined as Western colonialism disrupted the livelihoods of India's martial castes. |
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[[Image:Fatbastard.JPG|thumb|right|The British Raj]] |
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[[Rajput]]s who sought service with rulers as their ancestors had done found their sources of patronage limited by British restrictions; unable to find employment in their traditional line of work, some joined the [[Pindari]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Bayly | first = C.A. | title = Indian Society and the making of the British Empire | origyear = 1988 | edition = Sixth printing | year = 2002 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = Cambridge | id = ISBN 0521386500 | pages = 103}}</ref> |
[[Rajput]]s who sought service with rulers as their ancestors had done found their sources of patronage limited by British restrictions; unable to find employment in their traditional line of work, some joined the [[Pindari]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Bayly | first = C.A. | title = Indian Society and the making of the British Empire | origyear = 1988 | edition = Sixth printing | year = 2002 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = Cambridge | id = ISBN 0521386500 | pages = 103}}</ref> |
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The resurgence of public interest in kalarippayattu began in the 1920s in Tellicherry as part of a wave of rediscovery of the traditional arts throughout South India which characterized the growing reaction against British colonial rule.<ref>Zarrilli 1998</ref> |
The resurgence of public interest in kalarippayattu began in the 1920s in Tellicherry as part of a wave of rediscovery of the traditional arts throughout South India which characterized the growing reaction against British colonial rule.<ref>Zarrilli 1998</ref> |
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== Strict Vegetarian Diet == |
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[[Image:ShitChapati.jpg|thumb|left|Cow dung chapatis are a favorite amongst these wrestlers and other holy vegetarians and Brahmins of un-divided India]] |
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Diet is one of the most important aspects of Malla Yudda and Vajramusti wrestling of North India. Since everbody is a vegetarian and the cow is the holiest of holy, cow dung Chapatis are made for these ruggard warriors of un-divided India.<br> |
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== Martial Arts and Bollywood == |
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[[Image:IndianSuperman.jpg|thumb|right|Malayalee Super Star - A scene from ''Autograph'']] |
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Since the 1970s, martial arts specifically Kalarippayattu has been shown in Malayalee movies and other Indian films. |
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== Various Indian martial arts == |
== Various Indian martial arts == |
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==Indian martial arts in popular culture== |
==Indian martial arts in popular culture== |
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*[[Dhalsim]], a popular charecter from the [[Street Fighter]] series practices a martial form of [[Yoga]] as his fighting style. |
*[[Dhalsim]], a popular charecter from the [[Street Fighter]] series practices a martial form of [[Yoga]] as his fighting style. |
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[[Image:Shit.JPG|thumb|right|100px||Dhalsim uses cow dung in his fighting style in Street Fighter]] |
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*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 [[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. |
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*In the ''[[Street Fighter EX]]'' video game series, character [[List of Street Fighter EX characters#Darun Mister|Darun Mister]] is modelled after [[The Great Gama]]. |
*In the ''[[Street Fighter EX]]'' video game series, character [[List of Street Fighter EX characters#Darun Mister|Darun Mister]] is modelled after [[The Great Gama]]. |
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*The classic martial arts film [[Master of the Flying Guillotine]] depicts a silent Indian fighter using a yoga based fighting style and having an unnatural ability to extend his limbs to attack. |
*The classic martial arts film [[Master of the Flying Guillotine]] depicts a silent Indian fighter using a yoga based fighting style and having an unnatural ability to extend his limbs to attack. |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 03:52, 29 September 2006
The Indian subcontinent is home to a variety of martial arts, including Pehlwani, Kalarippayattu, Vajra Mushti and Gatka.
Introduction
Ancient India is widely considered to be the origin of martial arts, several Indian martial practices and traditions, like the martial forms of Yoga, Malla-yuddha (more commonly known as Mallayuddha) and the Kshatriya systems of organised armed and unarmed combat as described in the Rigveda predate other ancient traditions such as the Greek martial art of Pankration, which was introduced in the Olympics around 648 BC and Egyptian martial arts.
Various forms of Yoga emphasise on the knowledge of pressure points and manipulation of these points to achive desired results, accounts of these arts being used by the Indian monks (both [[hindu and buddhist) for self defence in events of violent assault during long journeys are abundant in both the ancient texts and inscriptions. Images of a meditating yogi from the Indus Valley Civilization are thought to be 6 to 7 thousand years old. The earliest written accounts of yoga appear in the Rig Veda.
The fighting systems belonging to the Kshatriya caste of hinduism are some of the oldest descriptions of organised martial arts documented in the Rigveda, these fighting systems include armed and unarmed fighting and other aspects such as conditioning, horse riding etc.
Mythological figures in the Ramayana are known to practice several martial arts, lord Rama and his brother Lakshman have trained in archery and Lord Hanuman is revered as a fierce wrestler, still worshipped by the Indian practitioners of Pehlwani. The Ramayana was written down in 5th century BC and the events of the epic have also been dated to as early as 6000 BCE by adherents of archaeoastronomy.[1]
The other Indian martial art system to gain prominence as one of the oldest martial arts in history is the 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.
Some of the older traditions include organised martial systems as practiced by the Kshatriya caste of Hinduism, which are some of the oldest descriptions of organised martial practices documented in the Rigveda, these systems include armed and unarmed combat and aspects such as meditation, conditioning, horse riding butt naked etc.
Organised martial arts in India include the ancient martial art of Malla-yuddha[1] (more commonly known as Mallayuddha), which is described in the Indian epics as the wrestling style of warriors such as Bhima. The art is supposed to have gained maximum prominence in Bharatavarsha 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. 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.
Influence of Indian martial arts
The martial arts of India have influenced the martial arts of other countries, particularly within the Indosphere, those regions outside India influenced by Indian culture. Examples of such arts include Bando, [2][3][4] Silat, [5][6][7][8] Escrima[9] and Muay Thai. [10][11]
Karl Istaz travelled to India to train with Indian wrestlers and incorporated their training methods in shoot wrestling, wrestlers like Yoshiaki Fujiwara have applied these methods to train shoot wrestlers around the world. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]
The conditioning methods of Indian martial arts have also been applied to contemporary mixed martial arts. [22][23][24]
India has also influenced the Portugese martial art of Jogo do Pau. [25][26] Tamil immigrants to Malaysia brought with them the staff fighting art Silambam.
Vasili Oshchepkov travelled to India to observe its native matial arts. Oshchepkov's collection of techniques from martial arts of various countries — including India — formed the basis of the Russian martial art Sambo. [27][28][29]
In addition, modern martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu credit India to be the origin of their fighting principles. [30]
Indian martial arts under colonialism
Indian martial arts declined as Western colonialism disrupted the livelihoods of India's martial castes.
Rajputs who sought service with rulers as their ancestors had done found their sources of patronage limited by British restrictions; unable to find employment in their traditional line of work, some joined the Pindari.[1]
Kalarippayattu underwent a period of decline after the introduction of firearms and especially after the full establishment of British colonial rule in the 19th century.[2]
More European modes of organizing police, armies and governmental institutions, and the increasing use of firearms, gradually eroded the need for traditional martial training associated with caste-specific duties.[3]
The British Raj banned kalarippayattu in 1804 in response to a series of revolts.[4]
The resurgence of public interest in kalarippayattu began in the 1920s in Tellicherry as part of a wave of rediscovery of the traditional arts throughout South India which characterized the growing reaction against British colonial rule.[5]
Strict Vegetarian Diet
Diet is one of the most important aspects of Malla Yudda and Vajramusti wrestling of North India. Since everbody is a vegetarian and the cow is the holiest of holy, cow dung Chapatis are made for these ruggard warriors of un-divided India.
Martial Arts and Bollywood
Since the 1970s, martial arts specifically Kalarippayattu has been shown in Malayalee movies and other Indian films.
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 (Diamond 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.
- The classic martial arts film Master of the Flying Guillotine depicts a silent Indian fighter using a yoga based fighting style and having an unnatural ability to extend his limbs to attack.
References
- ^ Bayly, C.A. (2002) [1988]. Indian Society and the making of the British Empire (Sixth printing ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 103. ISBN 0521386500.
- ^ Zarrilli, P. (1992). "To heal and/or harm: The vital spots (marmmam/varmam) in two south Indian martial traditions--Part I: Focus on Kerala's kalarippayattu". Journal of Asian Martial Arts. 1 (1).
- ^ Zarrilli, Phillip B. (1998). When the Body Becomes All Eyes: Paradigms, Discourses and Practices of Power in Kalarippayattu, a South Indian Martial Art. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- ^ Luijendijk, D.H. (2005). Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art. Boulder: Paladin Press. ISBN 1581604807.
- ^ Zarrilli 1998