India showcases traditional martial arts at Games closing

NEW DELHI - India showcased its traditional martial art forms from various parts of the country during the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games here Thursday.

With fireworks and weapons, Agni, as the segment was called, is a tribute to India’s sporting spirit. Some of these martial art forms originated more than 3,000 years ago.

The segement started with the chanting of an Agni shloka (hymn). At the end of the shloka, eight martial arts forms were showcased by exponents.

The martial art forms were: Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest systems in existence and mostly practiced in Kerala. It includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods;

The Naga warriors: one of the most ancient Kshatriya tribes of India who evolved from the Suryavanshi formed another segment;

Thang-Tha is a weapon based Indian martial art created by the Meitei of Manipur. In Manipuri Thang means sword and Tha means spear;

Gatka is a weapon-based martial art created by the Sikhs of Punjab. The Punjabi word gatka refers to the wooden stick used in sparring matches;

Silambam is a weapon-based Dravidian martial art from Tamil Nadu. The word means bamboo staff which is mainly used in this style;

Akhada, exercising venues, originated in the central parts of India;

Dhan Patta, which originated in Maharashtra, is characterised by the use of swords, shields, and axes in a magnificent display of fighting skills;

Talwaar Raas originated in Gujarat. The performers typically use swords to display their fighting skills. The speed of the dance is enthralling and feeling and expression of the soldier gives an insight to the intricacies of the art form.

The programme earned loud applause and cheers from the crowd.