Gatka -Training

     

Most gatka groups train in a religious or semi-religious situation, such as in a gurdwara (a Sikh place of worship) or in a Sikh cultural centre or school. However, in recent years a number of "Akhara" (regiment or gymnasium) organisations have been founded, with the express purpose of teaching and disseminating the skill of gatka.
Gatka students always train with "both hands full", as this is both an excellent exercise for matching the two halves of the body and is emphasised as ideal for combat. Gatka emphasises the superiority of having something in both hands, whether it's two sticks, or a stick and a sword, or a sword and a shield or any other combination.
At an advanced level, gatka is always tailored to the practitioner. Hence the gatka practitioner will eventually focus all of his effort on training his or her abilities with a chosen weapon or combination of weapons.

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Starting With Gatka

          

Gatka actually refers to the soti, a wooden stick used in training, which is equipped with a basket hilt. The entire martial art is based on the correct use of a vast array of melee (hand-to-hand) weapons. The foundation of the art is the panthra, a basic form and methodology for moving the feet, body, arms and weapons correctly, in unison. Gatka is normally taught with rhythmic accompaniment, and the object is to achieve fluid, natural and flowing movement, without hesitation, doubt or anxiety. The attacking and blocking methods are all based upon the positions of the hands, feet and weapon(s) during the panthra dexterity exercise. Many weapons are taught with special methodologies, in addition to the panthra exercise.
There are set of unique "chambers" and other techniques, which are unique to certain weapons, such as the khanda (two-edged sword), the tabar (axe) and the barcha (spear).
The most common weapon used by gatka exponents today is the lathi (a stick of varying length), but all of the other traditional weapons are still taught. A common combination in that hands of gatka practitioners of today and in the past is the sword and shield.
The panthra exercise is a flowing, non-stop movement, and there are no specific "techniques" as such in gatka. Rather, the methods of attacking and defending are the same, and the application depends on the circumstances at the time. The panthra exercise is practised at the same time as the "Jaap Sahib" prayer is being sung. Also, a three-beat-per-cycle is played by a drummer at the same time. This assists in developing natural and flowing co-ordination.

Gatka ancient martial art

Gatka is an ancient martial art which has been thoroughly battle-tested and has existed in northern india for many thousands of years. It is considered to be a spiritual as well as a physical exercise. Both these aspects of the person are developed to a high level during the learning phase in this ancient art. Although it uses the sword as its primary weapon, many other weapons are available to the Gatka master. Today, this art exists exclusively amongst the Sikhs who have passed down the flamboyant techniques through generations, since their sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind wore the two swords of Miri  (temporal, worldly) and Piri (spiritual, transcendental).
The Sikhs have been responsible for the revival of this early art ensuring it's survival despite mass persecution of the native population in India by foreign invaders like the Mughals and others for many hundreds of years.
Gatka is a complete martial system which uses spiritual, mental and physical skills in equal portions to help one fully competent in defending themselves and others.

In addition to giving the student defensive skills, it also helps the individual with other aspects of their life: makes the mind alert and responsive, maintains the body in a near perfect condition and makes soul fearless, compassionate and tranquil.
The techniques involved are extremely effective for defence and attack as well as visually spectacular. The Sikhs mastered Gatka and perfected its use in battle. Many battles were won by the Sikhs, despite almost always numbering far fewer than the opposite forces. The techniques within Gatka were combined with the spiritual practices of the Sikhs to create a perfect fighting system. Opposing forces have documented how awesome these Sikhs were at battle!

The art of Gatka involves a series of integral combat training systems that include several systems of duels armed - unarmed and the use of weapons of defense and offence. It aims at the coordination of mind & body through the meditation of spiritual verses of Gurbani , a holistic system by which the character and moral attitude of a student is shaped.

What is Gatka

Gatka (ਗਤਕਾ) is a weapon-based Indian Marshal art created by the Sikhs of the Punjab. The Punjabi word gatka refers to the wooden stick used in sparring matches. The term might have originated as a diminutive of the Sanskrit  word gadha or mace. A more popular theory is that it derives from the Punjabi words gat and ka. Gat means grace, liberation, and respect in one's own power, while ka means someone who belongs or is part of a group. Gatka would therefore translate as "one whose freedom belongs to grace".