Gatka art to be revived

Written by Shaheen P Parshad, Amritsar, Chandigarh express

Wednesday, 23 July 2008

A group of over 40 youths from Narli village in Tarn Taran is all set to learn the art of gatka, which is now limited to occasional displays by the nihangs. The initiative has been taken by Punarjyot, an NGO, which has tied up with Pakistan-based Faqirkhana Museum to preserve and promote the martial art, which is the common heritage of India and Pakistan. Punarjyot has also established Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Gatka Academy in Narli village. Manveen Sandhu, Director, Punarjyot, said, "Research on the life of Bhagat Singh has revealed that he was a trained gatka player. Even in the times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, martial art was widely practised and was a prerequisite for those aspiring to join his army." Dr Shivinder Singh, a founder member of Punarjyot, said Faqir Sayid Saif-u-din Bukhari, Director, Faqirkhana Museum, Lahore, has offered help to set up a museum in Narli in which they would house documents, pictures and other material related to Bhagat Singh and Ranjit Singh. Comments (0) >> Show/Hide comments Write comment Show/Hide comment form Name Email Website Comment Add Comment

 

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