Gatka, the traditional martial art form of the Sikhs, is experiencing a resurgence and gaining popularity in rural Punjab. Nowadays, it is commonly showcased during religious processions as a public display. The revival of Gatka serves a dual purpose: to promote Punjab's rich cultural heritage among students and to encourage young people to build their stamina and strength and live a disciplined life.
About Gatka
Guru Hargobind, the Sixth Sikh Guru, promoted the concept of the warrior-saint and stressed the importance of his disciples participating in self-defence martial activities. In today’s world, Gatka is seldom employed in actual combat and has transformed into a sport.
An increasing number of teenagers and adolescents are drawn to this age-old martial art as it provides a chance to maintain physical fitness and foster discipline in their lives.
Reviving the dying art
According to a report shared in 2008, approximately 50 children from around 30 villages near Amritsar, including Khalra, Chhina Bidhi Chand, and Mari Kamboke, are learning the ancient martial art of Gatka in Narli Village near Bhikhiwind. This village was the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The purpose behind this effort is to revive this traditional martial art, which was previously used by Sikh armies and soldiers against the Mughals.
The responsibility of motivating and training all interested young individuals was taken up jointly by Punarjot, a non-governmental organization, and Spring Dale Senior School. The appeal of this art form extends not only to youngsters from the Sikh community but also to others.
Surindar Pal Singh Dhillon, the Gatka teacher, said, "The motive is to awaken people, otherwise, it might happen that the next generation will be totally unaware about the art of Gatka. It's a very good step to revive a dying art. Earlier, such efforts were limited to towns only. It's very heartening to see efforts to revive Gatka in border villages."
Children engage in daily practice sessions for three to four hours, learning various techniques. After a year of training, they become eligible to participate in gatka competitions at regional and national levels. This training instils confidence and fosters a positive attitude among them.
Devinder Singh, a Gatka instructor, expressed his views on the training process, stating that the focus is on instilling discipline and toughness in the children. He mentioned that the students have made a commitment to working hard in order to achieve these qualities. Once they have demonstrated their dedication, they are taught the fundamental skills of Gatka, such as Chakri, Paintra stepping, and various weapons like Maratti, which are essential for handling other weapons effectively. The training progresses to include techniques like single Sotti (referred to as ek-tangi or one-legged), double Maratti, and the usage of shields and swords. To further enhance their skills, the students engage in sword fights under guidance. Devinder Singh emphasized that they aim to train the students in the use of all types of weapons.
Suman Jutsi, one of the trainees, shared her thoughts on Gatka, describing it as a wonderful sport that inspired her to learn. She highlighted the sport's positive impact on physical fitness and its ability to teach discipline. Suman also emphasized that Gatka fosters a sense of cooperation among the participants.
Gatka gives the practitioners complete control over body movements, the mind, and confidence in the self. Ultimately, that is at the heart of all lessons, enabling the students to perform almost all feats fearlessly.
*Based on an article published in the Punjab News Line on 6th October 2008