A combat as a sport or for self defence is common in many communities of the world. It is known by different names at different places. This kind of activity known as Gatka is closely related to Sikhs. When Guru Hargobind Sahib brought transformation among the Sikhs by adopting Miri Piri concept, Sikhs were trained in the use of weapons for their self defence. The use of weapons by the Gurus in the battles fought by them led to the formation of Sikh army adept in such a use of swords. When not in the battle field, these people used to fight mock battles as a sport. Gradually, the sport aspect replaced swords (Kirpans) by wooden sticks. The fight with them as a sport came to be known as Gatka. Infact Gatka means a stick used to teach the first part of club fighting. It has a leather covering. In the right hand holding a Gatka and in left hand a ‘Phari’, two men play with each other. Persian – Khutka. (See ‘Mahan Kosh’). Thus, Kahan Singh Nabha believes that the words ‘Khutka’ and ‘Gatka’ are used for same meaning. When we seek advice from ‘Urdu-Punjabi-Hindi Kosh’ published by the Language Department, Punjab for word ‘Khutka’, we find these meanings with others: – ‘Kutka’, ‘Mota Danda’ (cudgel), ‘Thhosa’, (thumb) etc. Continuing the discussion regarding the meaning of Gatka SikhiWiki website concludes as “comparatively the terms ‘Khutak’, ‘Khutka’, ‘Kutka’, ‘Gatka’, ‘Gadka’, ‘Gadd’ and ‘Gadaa’ are close to one another, if not completely the same. These words are translated into ‘Mota Danda’, ‘Chhota Ate Mota Sota’, cudgel, truncheon and club. There could be many kinds of ‘Kutka’ or ‘Gatka’ depending on their size or shape. This can be compared to ‘Khanda’ and ‘Talvaar’. Both words have been used for sword. At the same time, the word ‘Khanda’ is used for a particular kind of double-edged sword also. In the same way, ‘Saif’ is a sword, but of a different kind. Well, after this discussion given above, we reach conclusion that the word ‘Gatka’ stands for cudgel, club or short stick”.
The progress of Gatka
Although, this sport was being played by the Sikhs right from the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib, its rules were framed for the first time by Major Kartar Singh Akali (Director Physical RSD College Ferozepur) in 1936. It was divided in two sub-styles, called Rasmy (Traditional) and Khel (Sport). After the independence of the country this game attained popularity and a number of organizations were formed to promote the same. Whereas, in India, the Gatka Federation (formed in 2008) became the main organization to formulate and standardize rules and regulations for Gatka as a sport, S. Harcharan Singh Bhullar is the president of Gatka Federation of India. Outside India, the Asian Gatka Federation, Commonwealth Gatka Federation and World Gatka Federation were constituted. SPS Oberoi is the president of Asian Gatka Federation. Punjab, being the most important state for this sport because of its association with the Sikhs, Punjab Gatka Association played an active role in encouraging the people by providing free training of Gatka through seminars, camps and workshops. The Punjab and Chandigarh Education Departments introduced gatka into the school sports calendars in the state, while the School Games Federation of India also incorporated gatka into the 56th National School Games calendar 2011-12. It is becoming popular in India and all those countries where the Sikhs are getting immigrated in large number. This sport is showcased during the martial festival of Hola Mohalla, as well as Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations in the Punjab. Gatka is one of the competitions held during an annual sporting event in the rural Indian city of Kila Raipur, and the Sikh community of Malaysia often holds gatka demonstrations during Vaisakhi or the Sikh New Year. Same is true for such celebrations in other countries. Whereas Gatka Federation of India is the main organisation for this sport in our country, World Gatka Federation is the International body to which Gatka Federations of the members countries are affiliated. Similarly, we have State Federations in India like Punjab Gatka Federation, U.P. Gatka Federation etc. The same are all affiliated to the Gatka Federation of India. S. H.S. Bhular is the President of Gatka Federation of India and S. Baljinder Singh Toor is the General Secretary.
The increasing popularity of Gatka
The increasing popularity of Gatka can be gauged from the fact that a large number of training academies known as, Akharas have grown up in India, UK, USA, Australia and Canada. The trainers teach their pupils the art of using the sword and the sticks which are generally used in place of swords and also the art of protecting from the opponent by using a shield. During these years, the number of weapons being used in Gatka has also increased and the players have started showing their skill in using the same. A number of stunts have also been added by certain Akharas for training their teams to show a different performance from others. However, the Federations controlling the sport at different level have prohibited any kinds of stunts and have advised the Akharas (training centres) not to encourage their trainees to indulge in the same. The sport should be played as per the rules approved in this regard. As the number of Akharas in the world is very big, it is not possible to mention even a few of them. The maximum Akharas are in Punjab in India, Ontario in Canada, Surrey in Canada and Southall and surrounding areas in U.K. We will like to mention a few of the hundred Akharas giving training for Gatka. We have selected these for specific reasons mentioned therein.
International Sikh Martial Art Academy
This Academy was constituted on 6 May 2007 at Patiala as an epic Gatka organisation. Its main purpose was to promote, popularize and standardize Gatka as a recognised game at National and International level. It also aimed at setting up Gatka training centres beginning with a residential Gatka Training and Research Academy at SAS Nagar, Punjab to provide best training, scientific research and academic facilities to the Gatkabaz (Gatka players). It compiled an International Gatka Rules Book in 2017 and has organised so far a number of training camps, Gataka seminars and workshops in different places to train the budding players. It has published literature on Gatka history and has a plan to compile an International Directory of all Gatka Akharas and Gatka Training Centres running across the globe which will serve as a first ever reference book. Further it has planned to upgrade and modernize the playing and management of Gatka tournaments by infusing latest information technology Technique gazettes and other infrastructure facilities so that the Gatka players with the modernized knowledge may demonstrate entry of Gatka at international competitions. The academy calls for Registration to all the Akharas so that they may all be linked together and take the benefit of the latest knowledge in this regard. The Email and the contact no. of the academy are ISMAAcademyChd@gmail.com, +91-98145-73800.
Bir Khalsa Gatka Dal, Taran Taran
This group of Gatka trainees at Taran Taran became news several times. Firstly, when they participated in a T.V. programme (India’s Got Talent) and won 3rd position in that competition. Further the team was invited to participate in Germany’s Got Talent and the team went there to perform. The team is also unique in the sense that it has featured in the Gunnies World Records thrice and is often invited to perform gatka during religious processions in many countries. “Gatka is the traditional art initiated by the Gurus to create Sikh ‘sipahis’ (soldiers), who could fight against those committing atrocities against the humanity. They are making efforts to retain this rich tradition among the youth and popularize Gatka at international level,” said team captain Kanwaljit Singh, before leaving for Germany.
Kanwaljit Singh, 33, said he started performing gatka when he was 7 year old. “It is because of our hard work that we have participated in many international competitions, and with blessings of the God, our team has qualified for the contest being held in Germany. Though the completion will be very tough, we hope to return victorious,” he said.
Bir Khalsa Gatka Dal wants to further promote the traditional martial art among youths in the district, which is battling drug menace. A number of local personalities gave a warm farewell to the team by presenting ‘siropas’ to the captain and members Gagandeep Singh, Harpreet Singh, Sandeep Singh, Balwant Singh, Karamjit Singh, Gurjit Singh and Jasmeet Singh, who at 17 is the youngest.
Apart from the above noted Akhara at Taran Taaran, we have a number of Akharas in Majha area, particularly Amritsar. One of the oldest Akharas is Khalsa Ranjeet Nirmal Gatka Akhara. It was started in 1946 by Jathedar Puran Singh Josh (a Sikh poet). This gatka akhara team has performed at various places in the country and abroad and has won a number of competitions. The team is now led by Jathedar Harjeet Singh Heera. Some other akharas in Punjab Haryana, Delhi, U.P. and other parts of the country are known because of their Gatka trainers, heads of those akharas. Some of the prominent Gatka trainers in different cities along with their contact no. are tabulated hereunder for reference and communication.
