Keekli Reporter, 14th June, 2014, Shimla
The Annual Red Cross Fair as always was a much awaited summer event, where locals as well as tourists took pleasure at a variety of food and games stalls. An added and a novel attraction was the presence of the Gatka Party in Shimla especially invited for the event. President, Satpal Singh Baggi of the Shaheed Baba Deep Singhji International Akhara, (Gatka Party), Mohali, Punjab, and his team of members showcased their acrobatic skills to entertain the public at large. Gatka basically a form of an Indian martial art associated with the Sikhs history of India and an integral part of Sikh Shastar Vidiya. It is a unique art to defend, display fighting skills and exercise self control which forms the essence of this martial art.
The agility, dexterity and skillfully performed acts were a crowd puller as the street came to a standstill as people gathered all around to watch the marvelous display. The eldest member of the group was Satpal Baggi at 53 years, meanwhile Bir Virendar Singh was the youngest at 10 years.
The group members gave few individual dual as well as group performances using all kinds of weapons used during battles and wars. The weapons of war, for instance, talwar, toran, soti, faari, chakra, bhalla, gola, khanda, jaal, etc were frequently used in the sports arena for leisure activities as well as to keep physically fit. Members of the group, namely, Kuljeet Singh, Rasheel Singh, Karanjot Singh, Ranjit Singh, Vikramjeet Singh, Jaspreet Singh, Inderjeet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Gurvinder Singh, Gurjeet Singh all executed their daring acts with precision and accuracy (see video clips).
The most astonishing act of all was the blindfold display with a sword by Gurmeet Singh as he chopped bananas placed on hands of volunteers. He said, “I have been performing this act since last 20 years and to develop such a skill I practice daily for six to eight hours. President Satpal added that I have been practicing these skills since I was eight years old and for the last 45 years I have been actively been associated with this Art form. It gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction that I have been able to train so many students and am proud of their dedication and commitment towards this sport”.
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