What are Martial Arts?
Martial Arts are any fighting arts that originally referred to the combat systems of Europe in the early 1950s. The term Martial Arts are derived from Latin which means "The arts of mars" - God of war called "warlike" or "violent".
Benefits of learning Martial Arts:
- Most obvious benefit is that it helps you to gain knowledge of safe living and self-defense.
- Helps in the flexibility of your body.
- It helps to improve the mental focus and boost your self-confidence.
- Through continuous training martial arts helps you to self-control emotions such as anger, fear, etc.
- Martial arts training will improve one's cardiovascular fitness and tone their muscular system.
- It helps in losing weight and helps to keep your blood pressure is normal.
- Overall, it leads you to achieve a healthy life.
Some of the types of martial arts in India:
1. Kalaripayattu
2. Pehlwani
3. Silambam
4. Varma kalai
5. Gatka
6. Huyen lanllong(thang ta)
7. Musti Yuddha
Kalaripayattu:
Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest Martial Art which is believed as the "Mother of all Martial Arts". Kalari means "Battlefield", payattu stands for "physical exercise". Kalaripayattu is also called "Rishi-Muni" and "Yogi's martial arts".
This includes strikes, kick, punch, grappling, weapons, and healing methods. It is said that many moves of this art have been adopted from Animals.
Pehlwani:
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Pehlwani is also called kushti, is Indian wrestling. The word Pehlwani is derived from the Iranian word Pehalavi.
One who practices this art is called a Pehlwan (which means hero). One who teaches this art is called Ustad (master). Pehlwani is the oldest form of combat sports formed by the amalgamation of "Indian malla- yuddha".
Silambam:
Image Credit - shethepeople.tv
Pehlwani is also called kushti, is Indian wrestling. The word Pehlwani is derived from the Iranian word Pehalavi.
One who practices this art is called a Pehlwan (which means hero). One who teaches this art is called Ustad (master). Pehlwani is the oldest form of combat sports formed by the amalgamation of "Indian malla- yuddha".
Silambam:
Image Credit - shethepeople.tv
Silambam is a weapon-based Indian martial art that originated in Tamil Nadu. The word silambam can be translated as "Bamboo from the Hill" where Silam means "Hill" and the word bam refers to the shorthand of the particular type of "Bamboo"
This art is mentioned in the Tamil literature before 400BC. The creator of this material art is said to be Agastya.
Varma Kalai:
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Varma Kalai originated in Tamil Nadu, is a Tamil traditional art of vital points. This art is used as both healing and harm-causing art.
The healing part is called "vaithiya murai" which is the part of "Siddha vaidhiyam" and the combat is known as "Adimurai" which means pressure-point striking. Usually, Varma Kalai is taught in the advanced stage of kalarippayattu and silambam.
Gatka:
Varma Kalai originated in Tamil Nadu, is a Tamil traditional art of vital points. This art is used as both healing and harm-causing art.
The healing part is called "vaithiya murai" which is the part of "Siddha vaidhiyam" and the combat is known as "Adimurai" which means pressure-point striking. Usually, Varma Kalai is taught in the advanced stage of kalarippayattu and silambam.
Gatka:
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Gatka is a traditional Sikh martial art which is played with wooden sticks also called "Khutka". Gatka was earlier considered as a diminishing art by UNESCO but is now reviving with over 30 countries playing over it.
Now Gatka is well-known as wooden-stick fighting where sticks are intended to simulate swords. Practicing Gatka increases cardio fitness, improves flexibility, coordination of muscles, and physical endurance.
This also promotes self-respect, self-control, and discipline.
Huyen lanllong (Thang Ta):
Image Credit - swadesi.com
Huyen Langlon, also called "Thang-ta" is a kind of Indian martial art that hails from Manipur where Huyen means war, and Langlon means knowledge or art in the Meitei language. There are two main components in this art: Thang-ta (armed combat) and Sarit sarak (unarmed fighting).
In Thang-ta (armed combat), the primary weapons used are "The spear" which is called 'ta' and "The sword" called 'Thang'. This martial art has various forms of war dance such as sword dance which is known as 'Thangkairol' and spear dance known as 'khosarol'.
Musti Yuddha:
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Musti Yuddha is a traditional art which is also known as 'mukki boxing'. It is an unarmed ancient martial art developed during the 3rd Century AD in 'Beneras Varanasi'. In Musti Yuddha, 'musti' literally means 'fist' and 'yuddha' is the 'fight' in Sanskrit. Therefore, Musti Yuddha is called "Fist Fighting".
It is a form of unarmed combat, mostly relying on the fist and kicks, knees, elbows, grappling, etc. Except for the groin. Musti Yuddha has several similarities with "Muay Thai" which is also a form of martial art.
It is a form of unarmed combat, mostly relying on the fist and kicks, knees, elbows, grappling, etc. Except for the groin. Musti Yuddha has several similarities with "Muay Thai" which is also a form of martial art.
Written By - Rincy Saj
Edited By - Daniel Deepak Charles
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