Malla-yuddha
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| Part of a series on Indian martial arts |
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| Various Indian martial arts |
| Pehlwani - Kalarippayattu - Malla-yuddha - Vajra Mushti / Vajra Mukti - Chakram - Kabaddi - Silambam Nillaikalakki - Gatka and other arts |
| Notable Practitioners |
| The Great Gama - Phillip Zarrilli - Jasmine Simhalan - Jyesthimallas - Gobar Goho - Imam Baksh Pahalwan - Paul Whitrod - Gulam - Guru Har Gobind - John Will |
| Related articles |
| Kshatriya - Yoga - Indian mêlée weapons - Dravidian martial arts - Ayurveda - Sri Lankan martial arts - Indian martial arts in popular culture - Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts |
Mallayuddha (literally "wrestling combat", Devanagari: मल्लयुद्ध)[1] is the martial art of classical Indian wrestling [2] .
Mallayuddha is described in the Indian epics as the fighting style of warriors such as Bhima. From extrapolation of the epics, the art is supposed to have gained maximum prominence in ancient India at the time when the oral tradition of the Mahabharata was conceived. As the Mahabharata was compiled in textual form around the 5th century BC and the epic's setting has a historical precedent in Vedic India, it is believed then that mallayuddha was regarded as a prominent martial art in that era.
[edit] Types of Mallayuddha
Generally Indian wrestling can be divided into two categories. The malla krida and the mallayuddha. Malla krida is the sports version while mallayuddha is the combat wrestling version.
According to the techniques and methodology used, the wrestling is divided in four types. Bhimaseni, Hanumanthi, Jambuvanthi, and Jarasandhi.
- Hanumanti : Hanumanthi type concentrates on the technical superiority of the wrestler and here superior skill will help one to beat an opponent of greater strength.
- Jambuvanti : Jambuvanthi wrestling uses locks and holds to force the opponent into submission.
- Jarasandhi : Jarasandhi is the most lethal form among the above as it concentrates in breaking of the limbs and joints.
- Bhimaseni : Bhimaseni wrestling stresses the acquiring of strength and its use. Most suitable for persons of huge build and strength.
[edit] References
- ^ Alter, Joseph S. (August 1992b). The Wrestler's Body: Identity and Ideology in North India. Berkeley: University of California Press.
- ^ Alter, Joseph S. (May 1992a). "the sannyasi and the Indian wrestler: the anatomy of a relationship". American Ethnologist 19 (2): 317–336. ISSN 0094-0496.
