Gurbar Akaal

There is nothing to get tripped out about, when you feel insecure about what you are experiencing it is because your false ego self is falling away and your true self is emerging from behind the veil. This is a natural process, people who panic about this can get themselves in a right mess.

Do not be worried by this, when the illusion begins to break down your ego will be paniced, however spiritual knowledge and understanding is what you require to keep walking this path. Take time to sit and read through Gurbani and understand the Gurmat imparted by the Satguru, Jap Naam to still your mind and increase the peace within your heart.

Your embarking on the start of a great journey, just remember that everything is Vaheguroo, and there is nothing to be scared of. The True Self is immortal and cannot be destroyed, keeping faith in this keep walking this sharp path.

Guru Rakha!

Turn up to the Akhara and we will go from there.

Gurfateh

If you was serious, you would have come to his face a long time ago Taran. All you are doing is riling the masses against him with lies and slander.

Moving on from there, the Hadh Thor challenge details are availible on the website.

In simple terms, turn up to the Akhara at the begining when the Shastar Namaskaran is done, stand on the left of the Gurdev as a sign that you do not accept his authority and lay down your challenge.

Jee Aaya Nu!

See you soon brother.

Thank you for conveniently deleting my post. What are you afraid of?

This board is nothing but a platform for breeding paranoia, promoting slander and character assasination, where truth is silenced and lies are allowed to be spread. This attitude will never create Sikhs of good character, tolerance and moral good standing, nothing but hatred and fear is being promoted, the complete opposite of the Satgurus ideology.

The Akhara is open for anyone to come in to discuss, challenge and learn if they so wish to. We do not force our views on anyone nor do we expect anyone to become a Sanatan Sikh, a Nihang or anything else. We are open all all communities and races, religions and creeds where people are openely taught how to defend themselves and learn about the great martial tradition of Guru Gobind Singh.

Nidar Singhs letter which Taran0 posted on his website invites people to come and discuss any issues, if you wish to have answers then come to the root rather then making websites filled with misinterpretations and assumptions. Taran0 has never turned up to an Akhara in al the years I have been there so he has no understanding of Shastarvidiya, Sanatan Sikhi or Nidar Singh, just second hand slander.

Classes are taught at:

Wolverhampton - Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara. Upper Villiers Street - 6:00pm - 9:30pm Thursdays

Birmingham - Naamdhari Gurdwara, Coventry Rd A45 -10:00am - 1:00pm Sundays

Leicester - Guru Amar Das Gurdwara, Clarendon Park Road - 2:30pm - 6:00pm Sundays

Dont let hate consume you

wjkk wjkf,

great work has been done in getting this fraudster and his hindu-sikh cult followers out of our gurdwara's. i noticed something a bit disturbing, where this cult are promoting 'childrens' classes in smethwick????? please we need to make our community aware of this!

wjkk wjkf

This class is being taught by a student of Nidar Singh and only Shastar Vidiya is taught to the children so that they can defend themselves, their honour and increase their self confidence. If Sikhs wish to retain their art, it must be passed on to the children, it is being offered openly to the youth should they wish to learn.

Rather then try to bann it, why not come down and have a look? See what is taught, see what the kids and their parents think, and see what you are trying to bann through hate, fear mongering and lies.

Gurfateh

Great video and great appreciation of the arts.

Thanks

The small Aad Chand is a smaller version of the Gajgah, a symbol of a great warrior who is capable of engaging war elephants.

Look at the link below to see Guru Gobind Singhs Gajgah

http://akalinihang.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/gajgah-of-guru-gobind-singh-ji.html

Muay Thai, Boxers, Wrestlers, Silat students and all other forms of martial artists have come to the akhara to train and learn. If SV was rubbish, surely in the 15 yrs of Nidar Singh teaching there would be an incident where he got beaten or the flaws of the art were highlighted. This has not happened, and instead top martial artists are organising seminars with Nidar Singh. The question should be, as a Sikh, how much are you really searching for the truth?

Ever heard of something called a Kirpan/Kard? Its that thing all Amritdhari Sikhs are supposed to carry.

If you think Krav Maga is the best, then stop trolling forums and practise. For someone who posts so much I doubt you even train in any art. For those who do SV, if they have understood its effectiveness then there is no need to convince someone on the net.

Anyone who doubts can come along to the akhara and test it out. This has always been the case. As SV opens up to the worlds martial artists, its ability to hold its own and receive acknowledgement speaks much more then some random singh on a forum who even doubts his own indiginous art, and licks the boot of the firangi.

When Nidar Singh comes to USA, i will let you know and you can go beat him yourself. Talking only goes so far, pick up your weapons and lay down your challenge.

AK-47, find yourself some Chechens, Somalis or some Afghans who are ready to duel and bring them to the Akhara.

Many people come through the Akhara on a weekly basis, some with no martial knowledge, some with decades worth of training under their belt. Each person who enters is always tested to see how much they know, and the art is catered to them dependant on their skill.

Everyone goes one on one with Niddar Singh so there are no doubts to the effectiveness of the art and his own skill. If the person wishes to test further they are allowed to go all out as much as they wish. In all the years I have been there I have yet to see someone who doesnt accept the skill of the Gurdev, from newcomers, to Masters in their own rights.

If anyone is able to beat the Gurdev, the Gurdev will denounce his position and the higher skilled person will assume the role of the Akhara Gurdev. For students, if any lesson is repeated more than once, or if you dont learn something new in the class, the Gurdev has nothing more to teach and you may leave. Until now, Ive never had a repeated lesson, and I always learn something new.

By sitting on the internet and attempting to understand this art is of no point, you cannot judge how skilled Niddar Singh is until you face him, it is only then will you realise why he is the Gurdev and you are the student.

Ak-47, if you read through the Hadh Thor Challenge you will see that it extends to anyone who wishes to challenge the art.

Look through Sikh History to see if its been battle tested, the same knowledge has been passed down from Gurdev to Gurdev to ensure that this knowledge is kept alive. Those who truely practise this art will know that it works, in the Akharas the skills of each student will be pressure tested to see how they handle real combat, one vs one, one vs multiples, one vs weapons etc.

Niddar Singh has travelled to various schools in India, same as his own Gurdev who travelled to 72 different Akharas to test his art, and used it in the 1947 riots.

Here is the video of the SV and FMA Seminar with Pat O Malley.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aphzZLBNcwg

15-Jul-2011, 09:26 AM

Thanks for posting this thread. I too am excited about this weekend as I have found Gurudev to be both a humble man and a generous teacher he is a true Master of the arts and I cant wait to see us both swap ideas on bladed combat with both the distinct differences and unique similarities of both arts.

I the short time I have known Gurudev I have been amazed at his wealth of knowledge and how both arts compliment each other.

To me this is an historical event were two great combat arts come together to share and hopefully this will not be the last.

The event is being held on Sunday in sunny Torquay south Devon and is open to all levels and styles of martial artists that wish to participate in this historical workshop.

Best wishes

Pat

Thanks to everyone who turned up at this workshop I had an absolute blast and it was great to see two combat arts happily work side by side and share each others knowledge. It was an honour to work with all of you and great to see how much both arts have in common.

The best workshop I have had the privilege of being on and I cant wait for the next one which I believe will be sometime in October in Leicester.

Best regards and thanks

Pat

Pat OMalley18-Jul-2011, 10:19 PM

It certainly sounded quite interesting. Would have loved to attend it. I hope everyone who did appreciated the experience.

Cheers...

It's was great. There will be interveiws and clips going up on YouTube soon and coverage in Combat Magazine as well as this there will be coverage and interveiws of the event going out too 280 million people on the BBC World Service sometime in September.

Best regards

Pat

Pat OMalley19-Jul-2011, 02:42 AM

Some people within the community doubt Niddar Singhs claims. But I think it has more to do with religious quarrels.

One complaint is that he bases everything of Hindu deities where as shastar vidiya was modified andpreserved by the Sikhs who did not believe in deities and do not include them in their teaching of anything.

Religion. Deities. Well that is neither here nor their all I know is I watched him move and I know when I am watching someone who knows what he is doing and he knows what he is doing. He is a true master of the combat arts.

He freely taught and shared his knowledge and trained in what we knew with an open mind and is a very humble man.

I don't care what other people think. From one fighter to another I have the upmost respect for his skills.

Best regards

Pat

Pat OMalley19-Jul-2011, 02:51 AM

As a matter of fact he could have based it on the Simpsons it would have made no difference he knows what he's doing and we seen no religion in the room. What we did see was a sharing of culture and knowledge of combat skills and good friends where made in that room. And that's what counts.

I would recommend that anyone seeking to improve their understanding of combat skills seek him out. I found him to be a very open and honest man with an undying passion for his art.

Best regards

Pat

If Niddar Singh moved in the same way as the FMA guys, then it wouldnt be Shastarvidiya would it?

http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-103089.html

Check the site above to see comments from Pat O Malley, 11 times world champion in Filipino Stick Fighting, after completing the seminar with Niddar Singh. Last year Niddar Singh was invited to Grand Master Brian Jones Seminar to display Shastarvidiya to his students. These lot arent just amateurs in their arts, they are ambassedors, and are highly respected for their knowledge. They live and breathe Martial Arts and one thing you cannot do with them is pass off rubbish. If your stuff doesnt work, they will beat you.

One of the highest regarded Silat Gurus in the world Maul Mornie who is the Gurdev of Silat Sufian Bela Diri also see's the high level skill in Shastarvidiya and wishes to learn it himself, infact hes coming this week to attend our seminar. Im guessing you have more knowledge then these guys too.

You just have to do a quick search on youtube for Shastarvidiya to see these videos of the seminars and demostrations.

Only Five, if you are so accomplished at understanding Martial Arts, then how about coming down to challenge Niddar Singh yourself, surely your examination of SV has allowed you to figure out how to beat Niddar Singh. The Hadh Thor challenge still stands. Most likely there will be a ludicris post how youve done it in the past and now you cant be bothered, if so, then save your breath.

If you know anyone else who still holds the art of Shastarvidiya then bring them forward, until then Niddar Singh is the only person who is openly teaching it.

In the past many people have stated "theres other Singhs who have Shastarvidiya", if this is so then bring them forward or provide contact details, residence, addresses and we would love to meet them and see how much they still retain.

Rather then being concerned that this art will die off, people here are more concerned that they are being undermined by Niddar Singh because he calls himself the last one living.

The fact that you are a mona is no excuse to engage in useless arguements, the aim of Gurmat is to control your vices and senses, this applies to everyone regardless of whether they are moneh, keshdhari, or amritdhari.

Reflect on the situation and think how you could have managed it better, what could have gone wrong, what you should have done and the possible outcomes of each decision. Meditation on this is one of the keys to Self Defence. Anyone can throw a punch, but the important thing is to know when to fight and what you are fighting for.

There is no shame in walking away from confrontation, you must first access your own ability and the ability of your opponent(s), if you cannot take them then why fight? Fighting and losing is only half a strategy.

Take everything as a learning experience, in most occaisions these situations will wake you up to the reality of whether you can defend yourself or not.

The first strategy is to always avoid or circumvent violence, if this is not possible then you should attempt to calm down the situation as opposed to aggrevate it. You should have told the boy that "sorry I dont smoke" and carry on walking on, the fact that you was affected by his laugh shows how easily you can be wound up, however it is a good thing that you never took it to actual physical fighting.

The only thing that brings people into an arguement or fighting is their ego complex, so what if he laughed, so what if he said anything, carry on walking and see them as children with limited intelligence. The only real time to react is when physical danger is imminent.

Not only do you have to look out for your own wellbeing, you need to look out for the laws of the land. It is not worth being arrested/beaten up/stabbed over the fact that someone laughed at you.

Fighting in todays society is not simple, especially when your fighting in your own area where people will see you regularly, the last thing you want is an ongoing vendetta where it is <banned word filter activated> for tat attacks just because one of you got upset over a small thing.

Move on, stay safe, be aware.

I say its a step forward in the right way. When you have characters like Nidar who are distorting Sikhi for mischevious purposes, then to counter such ways is to put a ban.

Brushing things under the carpet and creating a blanket ban is not going to enlighten peoples minds, by letting people discover and understand is the key. How many issues have Sikhsangat banned, which leads people to be deluded to the truth because there is no where to discuss and get your doubts removed. The issue remains that no one wishes to be open minded and everyone wishes to impose their view on others. Let people have a choice, see both sides of the arguement and then let them decide themselves. By banning people, topics or groups you are taking this opportunity away.

This is not true at all. Niddar spreads anti-gurmat teachings, which are HIndu extremist views. One being that Sikhs are Hindus. Another being to worship devis. These are the basis of Hindu extremism and Niddar is in favor of them to be promoted among the youth. He is trying to rob a whole generation of their true Sikh history.

What exactly is Hindu Extremism? Have you ever approached Niddar Singh and asked him why he thinks Sikhs are Hindus? The Devi is a personification of the sword, this is accepted by the Panth. If the Devi is the Sword, then worship of the Devi cannot be condemmed can it? Any real Shastardhari will tell you that to master the art of the sword, the sword must be worshipped, not through bowing and prostration, but through devotion to what it represents. Sanatan Sikhs do not worship moortis or images, for they are merely stones and paper, we only worship Ek Nirgun Vaheguroo, but by doing so we do not disrespect any Avtar, Pir or Devta for from every blade of grass to the Gods, are all created by Nirgun Vaheguroo.

Niddar makes the claim he is the last one to know an art that he claims to be practiced by Sikhs. He makes claims, but none have been backed up by facts. Also he uses this propaganda to attract young naive minds (mostly targets SIkhs) to accept the Hindu extremist views, which he agrees with and spreads and dictates to others, without any merit.

What proof or fact would you like to see? The art of Shastarvidiya is a complete science which deals with all areas of fighting, the use of the Indo Persian arsenal of weapons is perfectly integrated into the art. If Chinese, Japanese or Filipino sword styles were used to pass off this art then that would be easily seen by Grand Masters of other arts. These same Grand Masters instead wish to learn Shastarvidiya themselves. Unless you are a master in a sword art then I dont believe you can really comment on his actual vidiya,

Niddar Singh has travelled across India in search of other masters of this art, he came across some however they didn't have the Sampooran Vidiya. If there was other Babas who knew the art then it would only help to cement the art and help towards bringing it back. One of the Babas Niddar Singh attempted to bring over to UK, however he passed away before he could come.

This is the whole point. This so called art was made up by Niddar, so you won't find anyone who knows it. How can they, when Niddar made up this lie. He made whatever he teaches out of thin air. But then to give it merit, he claims that Sikhs have been practicing it. And to get others interested, he adds the lie that the British banned it.

If you look at the Lahore Treaty you will see the injunctions that were put on the Sikhs and their ability to keep armies and weapons. This can be read here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Lahore

Its amazing how someone can make up a complete art and then pass it off to Grand Masters, either he is a great liar or a genius which should be in the ranks of Bruce Lee to create his own art. Or maybe he is just a genuine person who put time and effort to learn this vidiya.

I agree you are a cynic to everything related to Niddar Singh, your entitled to your opinion as much as anyone else, however by shouting "your lying your lying" is not a way to discuss anything. Look at the evidence that is put infront of you, or experience the art itself before you comment that it is made up

Banning of any advertising? This shows the dictatorship of this forum who are too narrow minded to even allow the views of anyone else. For a forum that is meant to represent "The Voice of Sikh Youth" it seems you instead wish to silence those who you do not understand.

Most of the things about Niddar Singh on the net have been made up or twisted in order to turn people against him, as he does not agree with the extremism of some elements in our community.

Niddar Singh is offering the chance for people to learn an art which is close to extinction, and a chance to learn how to defend themselves. No one has to take along the Sanatan Sikh ideology, and unlike others, we do not force our views down peoples throats until they become one of us. Our Akharas are full of people of diverse backgrounds, religions, beliefs and stages of spirituality. Niddar Singhs main aim is to preserve his vidiya so it is not lost like the many other arts which have been lost due to neglect and laziness within our community.

Regardless, continue with your conquest to silence people.

Johnny101, If you know anyone else who has knowledge of Shastarvidiya then please let us know, until then, Niddar Singh is the last known person who is teaching the art openly. The whole purpose of the documentary is to encourage any last remanants of the art to come forward.

Gurfateh

If you view the group of the gt1588 exhibition you will see nothing but positive responces from attendees, from all walks of life. www.facebook.com/gt1588

A non-kesadhari guy, who has really been getting interested in sikhi went to a few of the talks at the Exhibition. Basically, the main thing he took from the talks he went to was that...Sikhs are Hindu's

So out of all the information he was provided with, that was the only thing that stuck in his mind? Even though he was baffled by the talks he still continued to pay money to attend each talk? Did he not attempt to clarify this with any of the speakers or curators? Out of the 22000 people who attended the exhibitions this is the first "negative" responce ive come accross.

Or are you just making it up?

Here is what Twarikh Guru Khalsa states in the Bhoomika (Preface) of the Granth.

‘There was talk of such a science of archery and stick fighting only a few years ago in the Punjab that listening of it the English-educated young men will consider it astonishing. In sincerity I believe present day young men might just consider these skills and Shastar Vidiya most likely impossible, because they have not even seen those bows never mind stringing them. Li...ke this, many sciences and skills after attaining their heights have declined. Before 1857 many quivers full of arrows, matchlocks, flintlock guns, swords, lances, spears, Sang (long metal lance), Kata’s (punch daggers], Peshkabz [armour-piercing Afghan dagger), pistols, shields etc., weapons, armour and many types of chainmail was found house to house, and all the people in their homes learned and taught Shastar Vidiya and became complete soldiers.

Now no one even speaks of these skills the sons of brave warriors are becoming engrossed in making money, even to us who have employed Shastar Vidiya, it is becoming a dream. In another fifty years or so, this Vidiya would have dried up and people will say it (past skills) were but, all lies’

(‘Twarikh Guru Khalsa’, Giani Gian Singh Nirmala (1899) Vol.1, Pa. 36-37)

The founder of Ajit Akhara did actually learn from Baba Gyan Singh, but only for a short period of a few weeks at most. The successor to Baba Gyan Singh who took away the Sampooran Vidiya was the Gurdev of Nihang Niddar Singh, Akali Mohinder Singh.

Dont be fooled by the rebranding of Gatka to Shastarvidiya, and the claim that the Ajit Akhara has the same vidiya as the Baba Darbara Singh Akhara. It is just repackaged Gatka with Nihang elements taken away from influences from Niddar Singh, the Jangi Bana, Shastar Parkash, Jangi Kareh etc

These things can be copied easily, however the art itself is what sets aside the differences. There is nothing more Nihang Niddar Singh would like is another master of Shastarvidiya to still be alive, it would only help towards keeping this tradition alive.

Why not address the root of the issue. Majority of our community are not disabled, and it is unlikely that we will get up to 10 disabled people attending the Gurdwara, these people who used chairs are most likely overweight, lazy and/or ignorant of the issue.

The Gurdwara as a central place of the community should be addressing issues that affect our people.

Health issues such as Diabeties, High Cholesterol and Heart Problems are common with our community, advice should be provided to the Sangat on how to manage weight and how to lose weight. Excercise classes should be set up to encourage people to be health, if the body is fat then it shows that the person is undisciplined and cannot control his desire for over indulging in food. If the person cannot control his own body senses, how is he even meant to begin controling his mind. Every Sikh should engage in some kind of physical excercise in order to maintain the body temple.

The Langar at the Gurdwara should be made more healthy, it is guarenteed that the regular Sangat will partake in Langar, so an unhealthy Langar will only add towards their bad health.

If people were in good health, with good advice availiable to them then the chairs wouldnt even come into the equation. Kattarpunna never works in any situation, by offering a solution to their problems you ca n win people over.

Vaheguroo Ji Ki Fateh

A response to Kalyug Singhs post has been put here:

http://shastarvidiya.blogspot.com

Mod Note: Our 'Topic Merge' forum feature is not working, Pls post this reply in the original thread of Kalyug Singh. This topic is now marked for deletion or moved away in few hrs.Thx