Martial Art Tradition of Odisha

December - 2014 Odisha Review Martial Art Tradition of Odisha Dr. Hemanta Kumar Mohapatra Odisha had a long history of martial tradition with Martial Art Tradition in Odia Literature: glories and frustration attached to it. Kingdom of Literature is a reflection of time. Adikabi Kalinga, as it was known earlier, Odisha was Sarala Das lived in a time when militarism was at subjected to military aggression of various its splendid height in Odisha. Sarala Das was a neighboring rulers and had its own heroes who part of the invincible Odishan army which had led the army for territorial aggrandizements. overrun the Karamandal coast and Kondavidu Odisha had seen the great battle of Kalinga in was the second capital of Odisha of the Gajapati which thousands of Odia soldiers sacrificed their King Kapilendra Deva. Adikabi Sarala Das, the life to resist the attack of Chandasoka, the composer of the great Odia epic “Mahabharat” Magadhan aggressor. The lavish bloodshed on was a contemporary of Kapilendra Deva and was the bank of the river Daya and the bravery and an eye witness to the military glory of Odisha. In valour of the Odia militia had brought tremendous his books Mahabharat, Vilanka Ramayan and mental agony in Ashoka, who promised here to Chandi Puran the martial art tradition of Odisha relinquish war forever. It was this Kalinga which has been distinctly depicted with details. In changed Chandasoka to Dharmasoka. The great Mahabharat vivid description can be seen about kingdom of Kalinga also had seen the fighting spirit the art of “Byuha” formation, the tacticse of of Kharavela, Odisha’s own empire builder. Khanda Yudhya, Gadayudhya, the war strategies Kharavela had avenged the defeat of Odias in etc. In Chandi Puran one can find vivid descriptions of martial art during the war between the battle of Kalinga and brought down Magadha Sri Durga, an woman deity and Mahisasur, the under his subjugation. The military career of this demon king. In the Vilanka Ramayan emperor was one of the rare examples of oriental Ramachandra with the help of Sita was able to valour. The Sun Temple of Konark displays on kill the thousand headed Ravana. Here Sita is its wall imposing war scenes as well as war horses depicted as the Shakti and the description of the and elephants. The military spirit of the Odias battle between the two adversaries has been naturally got its reflection in the art and literature described in a heroic martial style. In Balaram of the times. In this small article we shall discuss Das’s “Jagamohan Ramayan” one can observe the rudiments of militarism in the life style of the narration of warfare education. In ‘Mathura Odias through their semblance in art and literature. Mangala’ of the poet Bhakta Charan Das one 47 Odisha Review December - 2014 can find a scene of wrestling (Malla Yuddha) Temple, Konark, we find scenes of heroic deeds, between Sri Krishna and Chanur in Mathura at warfare and friezes of innumerable elephants. The the behest of demon” Kansha.” war horse of Konark is another specimen of Odishan martial art. In Kanchi Kaveri one can observe the depiction of war scenes. Brajanatha Badajena in In the performing art of Odisha the his Samar Tarang has given vivid descriptions influence of Odisha military glory can be distinctly about the martial activities of Odisha. Another observed. Mayurbhanj Chhau is one of the most book named “Paika Khela” is also valuable for acclaimed folk dances of India. It has classical record of military traditions of Odisha. In this book flavor and has a unique style. The style of this one can find the description about the dress, folk dance is based on the basic principles of ornaments, arms, weapons, titles of Odia Paikas Natyasastra of Kapilamuni and Abhinaya Darpan (peasant militia) engaged in different military of Nandikeswar. activities. The jobs of various military title holders (examples-Maharathi, Rout, Bahubalendra, This dance form has its origin in the mock Gajendra Pahad Singh, Dakhin Kabat, Uttar fights of the Odia Paikas who fought rhythmically Kabat, Jenamani) are clearly mentioned in this to the accompaniment of indigenous musical small booklet entitled “ Paikakhela”. In the poetic instruments. The Chhau-dancers have to practice description of Sachi Routray (Baji Rout), difficult mode of walking, striking, postures and Godabarish Mishra, Radhamohan Gadnaik we movement in a way peculiar to this style. It was a can find martial themes displayed in a lucid manner. virile dance form and primarily performed by male Odia literature is a storehouse of description of dancers. Chhau dance has serious martial heroic deeds of Odia warriors, their glories, characteristics in it. In the traditional performing pathos, sacrifices and inspiring patriotism. arts of Odisha like Jatra, Pala, Daskathia we find the semblance of “Veer Rasa”, the cream of Martial Spirit in Odisha Art Form: heroism and bravery. In the Kanchivijaya painting in the Ghumura is another leading folk dance Jagamohan of the Jagannath Temple one can see form of Odisha. It is classified as a folk dance as Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra on horseback the dress code of Ghumura resembles more like on their way to Kanchi to fight against Salva Narasingh for the prestige and pride of Odisha. a tribal dance. But recent researchers argue that On the walls of Biranchinarayan temple of Buguda different mudras of this dance bear resemblance one can see war scenes of Ramayan. One of the with other classical dance forms of India. This popular themes of the Pattachitra tradition of dance is performed with musical instruments like Raghurajpur is the marching of soldiers with Ghumura, Nishan, Dhol, Taal, Madal etc. The horses and other royal displays. playing of music and the heroic rhythm overshadows the song and dance part of the Odishan architecture displays the military performance. The expressions and movements of valor of Odisha. In the carving of Udayagiri the artists make this dance to be a “heroic dance”. Rock-cut caves of martial tradition of Odisha, Since thousands of years Ghumura dance has particularly of Kharavela times found evolved from a war dance to a dance form for mention. In the beautiful carving of the Sun cultural and social activities. 48 December - 2014 Odisha Review Ranapa Nacha is another performing Gajapati rule of Odisha. We found certain martial art form very much prevalent in southern semblance of their martial spirit during the revolt part of Odisha. “Ranapa” an instrument made of of Jayee Rajguru against the British and the Paik wood is attached to the legs to add height to the Revolt led by Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar. Barunei Paikas. Wearing Ranapas a Paik could walk in Fort of Khordha stands as a mute witness of this double or triple speed. As Ranapas were used valour and courage of the Paikas. The display of by the traditional Paikas of Odisha it can very such martial tactics in a dance form has come well be categorized under martial art. down to us as “Paika Akhada.” The rich culture and techniques of Paika Akhada can be compared Paika Akhada the known traditional to other martial art forms of India like “Kalari martial art of Odisha is very old and linked to the Payatu” of Kerala. It can also be compared with Stone Age culture. “Akhada” is a place mostly in the martial art form like “Wushu” or “Kungtu” of rural Odisha where military training is imparted. China, Judo, Kareta Aikido, Kyudo of Japan, The participants in these “Akhadas” (martial Taekwondo, Hapkido of Korea, Boxing, training centre) were mostly the Paikas or the kickboxing of Europe, Kapoera of Brazil, peasant militia. So the composite meaning of Muyathai of Thailand. All such martial art forms “Paika Akhada” is a place where the Paikas were are being used for physical fitness, self defence getting their military training. The Paikas were and as a sport. The techniques of Paika Akhada mostly Khandayats, who had tremendous control can also be utilized in the same manner and can over swords (Khanda-Sword/ Ayata-Control/ be a popular game. Khanda + Ayata = Khandayat). So also Khandayat means the master of the sword. They Thus the martial art tradition of Odisha may be compared with the “Samurai” fighters of speaks a great deal about the sporting as also Japan. These Khandayats were patriotic and loyal military spirit and glories of the Odias. to their king. The king of Odisha was very much dependent on the strength of these Paikas not only during for defence activities or of aggression, but also during the time of peace for smooth administration of the state. These Paikas showed Dr. Hemanta Kumar Mohapatra, 23, Ekamra Villa, their strength, valour and pride mostly during the Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar-751015. 49.

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