Extraordinary Stick Martial Art of West Bengal

Date:

[lmt-post-modified-info]

Share post:

Martial Art of West Bengal

When it comes to martial art, we often think about Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, and other forms which are mostly originated in Japan or China. But India doesn’t lag here… West Bengal comes to the rescue with Lathi Khela… a stick martial art that is also a popular form of sport…

Playing with sticks

Stick martial art have predominantly prevailed in south-east Asia since ancient times. Sticks or Lathis, as they are called, were used for defence. Often, rich people, especially farmers hired various people with lathis for their protection.

It was like a security system in those days and meant a symbol of power then. From there, we get the reference for the ‘defence’ factor of the stick game- martial art.

One to one stick sport
One to one stick sport

This game is played in groups or one to one. The sticks are typically about 2 to 2.5 meters long. Sometimes, they are bounded with one or more iron or metal rings around them at some distance intervals. The material used is bamboo; it is light and strong.

Martial Art : Bamboo sticks
Bamboo sticks

Well, not only Lathi Khela, but many other games include sticks for defence and are broadly classified as ‘stick martial arts’.

Word history of Martial Art 

Lathi Khela comprises of two different words. the former being lathi means a long stick and the later, which means a sport or a game. So together, it translates to a game of sticks, or rather a sport of sticks.

Lathi Khela today 

Lathi Khela today is more of a sport rather than something used as a defense skill. Though it is not an Olympic sport, it has a unique past. But the sport’s popularity is slowly waning. It is quite a hesitant “yes” whether it will exist or not in the coming decades.

Lathi Khela's cultural aspect decreasing in the modern times
Lathi Khela’s cultural aspect decreasing in modern times

But whatever the future be, this sport has surely kept us engaged throughout the past, acquiring its different forms, in all its splendour…

Previous article
Next article

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_img

Related articles

From Buyer to Manufacturer: The Journey of Krishna International Exim in the Furniture Business

Krishna International Exim, a prominent player in the furniture industry, embarked on its journey from the perspective of...

Fine Arts & Exports: Crafting Timeless Elegance

In the heart of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, a city renowned for its rich artistic heritage, Fine Arts & Exports...

Desert Art Export: Crafting Rajasthan’s Heritage for the World

In the heart of Rajasthan, where tradition and craftsmanship intertwine, Desert Art Export has been quietly creating a...

Curio Crafts: Crafting Excellence in Iron and Wood

Since its humble beginnings in 1990, Curio Crafts has emerged as a leading manufacturer and exporter from India,...