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Keekli Reporter, 25th December, 2014, Shimla
The Sahibzada Youth Federation Gatka Group, Shimla accompanied by the members of the Sri Hargobind Shastra Vidyalaya Sikh Martial Art, Poanta Sahib presented an exhilarating and invigorating showcase of some great Gatka Martial Art form here today on Ridge, Shimla. The agility, dexterity and skillfully performed acts were a crowd puller as the street came to a standstill, people gathered all around to watch the marvelous display. Gatka basically is 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. Singh Sabha President Jaswinder Singh said, “This is an integral part of our Sikh history and culture and is frequently performed in sports arena for leisure activities or to keep physically fit. The Gatka members will give 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 yesteryears”.
The event began with prayers and by paying obedience to the weapons, soon after which the Masters or the Ustad lead their group to display some great acrobatic skills using different kinds of weapons. It ranged from simple display of sword duals to soti fight and the use of chakra. Under the able-guidance and leadership of Ustad Jatinder Singh, the Sahibzada Youth Federation Gatka Group from Shimla constituted of 30 members and the youngest among them being, Mehardeep Singh, only five years old. Other members of the group, boys aged between 5 to 25 years were Ameek, Surjeet, Hasmeet, Chirjyot, Tashneet, Gursimran, Prabpreet, Sanjam, Sahib Preet Singh, Prabsimran, Sarabjeet, Anvit, Dilbag, Pramvat, Keerat, Amitoj, Ssmrat, Gurprit, Harkanwar, Sahib Singh, Jiugraj, Harivansh, Ishpreet, and Arsh Arora.
Another important part of the group were the girls, namely Harpreet, Manpreet, Ashleen, Akashdeep, and Amritbani. They too actively participated showcasing their skills and proving that it was an important art form for defensive use in dire circumstances and that every girl should learn this art.
Members from the Sri Hargobind Shastra Vidyalaya Sikh Martial Art, Poanta Sahib lead by their Ustad Ratanjeet Singh were Joginder Singh, Vachitra Singh, Lavneet Singh, Shivcharn Singh and Rajendra Singh among others. The highlight of the Gatka performance was the unbelievable and incredible display of skills by Joginder Singh, which left the audience awestruck and spellbound. A mix of salt and red chilli powder was poured over his eyes, blindfolded and then he was handed a weapon and taken around the marked areas where people were sitting with a banana, brick or a coconut placed on their heads. It was just amazing to see Joginder Singh to retrace his steps one by one and with such precision and accuracy he first chopped of the bananas with a sword and then hammered off the bricks and coconuts, without hurting a single soul (see video clip).
Singh Sabha Secretary Narendar Pal said, “Gatka, also known as the Sikh Martail Art was started by the Sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib, and it is a unique art to defend and display fighting skills and exercise self control. It is important as it helps the youth to stay healthy and agile by keeping them away from vices such as drug abuse and other intoxications, and also emphasizes on living a pious and a disciplined life”. He further informed that immense practice, willpower and restrain is required to perform these acrobatic skills. During this past month all our kids have been practicing on a regular basis to put up this show today, he concluded.
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