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What is Gatka ?

 

Gatka Is traditionally the fighting art form of using a fencing foil or stave (soti) made of well-seasoned choice bamboo.
Usually 3ft in length with a well-padded hand guard (hilt) which allow all possible rotational movement of the wrist.
Aided  with a Small leather shield (fari) two students then begin training in dual /sparring techniques using the various techniques
of Gatka movements ( Gatka deh ung - limbs of Gatka).


Practicing various manoeuvres of attack and defence ( Vaar and Rok ) being taught by the Instructor (Jathedar) and School
(Vidhala Kendre)

 

The practice of Gatka was embedded in the social, religious and daily routine of every Sikh over a huge area covering largely the Northern states of India. It is now widely practiced by many all over India by young and old alike in schools and colleges , and in many Nihang dhara's . An artpracticed by many yet mastered by a few.
 

The practice and educational training of Gatka and the STUDENT  ( sena sanbandhi fauji ) who trains in this fighting martial  tradition is undertaken in an AKHARA .
 

The training times vary from the early hours of the day or during night fall ( dusk or dawn ) so as to maintain a certain degree of secrecy and seclusion. These hours also allowed the student to train in slightly cooler climates rather than training in extreme hot temperatures. In the West, times of training largely depend on the times and availability of the place to train and daily work routine of many instructors and students alike.

 

In the following we hope to give an insight and brief overview to the various training regimes of various Gatka Akhara's in and around the Northern states of India and other Akhara's around the world.


It is a military discipline and an Art that has not had much serious research and it is hoped that we can endeavour to carry out more long term research of this unique martial tradition and its way of life for Dharma.

Back to previous page - Principle Training Stages Of Gatka

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