Context:
Vajra mushti kalaga, a martial art form, has gone extinct and takes place only during Dasara
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Vajra Mushti Kalaga: An Indian Martial Art
- Vajra Mushti Kalaga is a unique Indian martial art that combines various hand-to-hand combat techniques, including grappling, wrestling, and striking.
- The term “Vajra Mushti” translates to “Thunderbolt Fist” and is distinctive for its use of a knuckleduster, a small metal weapon.
- The knuckleduster, also known as Vajra Mushti, is typically crafted from animal horns and is worn on the fighter’s knuckles.
- The primary objective of this Indian martial art is to neutralize the opponent and counter their weapon.
- Unlike traditional grappling, Vajra Mushti Kalaga involves two fighters taking swings at each other’s heads using the knuckleduster.
- The winner is determined by whoever draws blood from the opponent’s head first.
- This form of wrestling gained popularity during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty, which reigned from the 14th to the 17th centuries.
- The fights are genuine, and the fighters strive to draw blood from their opponent’s head, with a referee intervening upon the first sign of blood.
- Medieval travelers from Portugal documented this form of wrestling during the Navaratri celebrations in the Vijayanagar empire and left detailed accounts of it.
-Source: The Hindu
