4 indigenous sports – Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and Mallakhamba have been added to the list of sports to be played at the Khelo India Youth Games 2021 to be held at Panchkula in Haryana.

The Union Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of the four Indigenous sports in the Khelo India Youth Games 2021.

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This was informed by Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare, Kiren Rijiju.

“I’m very happy to announce that 4 Indigenous Games have been added, along with Yogasana, to Khelo India Youth Games 2021, to be held in Panchkula, Haryana,” Kiren Rijiju said.

Speaking more on the inclusion of the 4 indigenous sports in the Khelo India Youth Games 2021, Rijiju said, “India has a rich culture of indigenous games and it is our endeavour to preserve, promote and popularise these.”

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Apart from Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and Mallakhamba – Yogasana will also be a part of the Khelo India Youth Games 2021.

Gatka is a form of martial arts associated with the Sikhs of the Punjab.

Gatka:

Gatka is a form of martial arts associated with the Sikhs of the Punjab. It is a style of stick-fighting, with wooden sticks intended to simulate swords.

It originated in Punjab in the 15th century but much of the Gatka forms practiced today in the West are Europeanised versions of what was the original martial art of Sikhs known as Shastar Vidya.

Gatka is now popular as a sport or sword dance performance art and is often shown during Sikh festivals.

It is practiced in India and Pakistan by the Tanoli and Gurjara communities.

Kalaripayattu is an Indian martial art that originated in modern-day Kerala.

Kalaripayattu:

Kalaripayattu is an Indian martial art that originated in modern-day Kerala.

Kalaripayattu has a long-standing history within Indian martial arts. It is the oldest surviving martial arts form in India.

It is also considered to be among the oldest martial arts still in existence.

It dates back to 3rd century BCE. Kalaripayattu has rituals based on Hinduism, and its therapeutically treatments are based on Ayurveda.

Bollywood actor Vidyut Jammwal is one of the practitioners of Kalaripayattu.

Thang-Ta is also an Indian form of martial arts that originates in the Northeast State of Manipur.

Thang-Ta:

Thang-Ta is also an Indian form of martial arts that originates in the Northeast State of Manipur.

Thang-Ta is the armed combat component of Huyen langlon form of martial arts.

The primary weapons are Thang (sword) and Ta (spear). Other weapons include the shield and the axe.

Thang-Ta is practiced for  ritual, demonstration, and combat.

Mallakhamba:

Mallakhamba is a traditional sport, in which a gymnast performs aerial yoga.

Mallakhamba is a traditional sport, in which a gymnast performs aerial yoga or gymnastic postures and wrestling grips in concert with a vertical stationary or hanging wooden pole, cane, or rope.

The pole is usually made from sheesham polished with castor oil.

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Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has thanked Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for promoting and supporting indigenous cultures of the Country.

“Thank you Hon’ble Union Minister, Shri @KirenRijiju ji for executing Hon’ble PM, Shri @narendramodi ji’s virtue & wisdom, to promote & support rich indigenous cultures of our great nation,” tweeted Chief Minister N Biren Singh.