The Word 'gatka'

[Mintu]

We know that the word 'Gatka' has been criticized by UK Sanatan Sikh Shastra Vidiya Gurdev Nihang Nidar Singh. Amrit Bha Ji has given reply to their points. (See http://www.amritworld.com/sanatani/index.html (articles 'Gatka' and http://www.amritworld.com/sanatani/realweapon.html)

Budha Dal's stand is now clear, which is available on their official website: http://www.budhadal.com/sports.htm

Now, what would Nihang Nidar Singh and his group like to say?

[Gurbar Akaal]

A Kutka is different to a Gatka soti, so the whole article falls down on itself. Amrit Singh has misinterpretted a paragraph on the SV website and gone off at a mega tangent. Maybe in the future Niddar Singh will write counter arguements for Amrit Singhs articles, but dont hold your breath.

[Wicked Warrior]

I've always thought Gatka as the 'show/demonstration' version and Shaster Vidya as the 'warfare' version.

The few times that I've seen Gatka demonstrations usually during Nagar Kirtans, the weapons used seem prone to damage rather readily. Swords get bent, spear ends come loose.

To me, it doesn't seem like they're using real weaponry, which is why I've always thought they used equipment suitable for demonstrations. Hence me calling this stuff Gatka.

Didn't mean to offend anyone. It's just my view.

[Mintu]

Sanatani website itself mention that the term 'Gatka' is derived from persian word 'Khutka'. Khutka and kutka is same.

Bha ji is very clear. He wrote in his article: -

Comparatively the terms 'Khutak', Khutka, kutka, gatka, gadka, gadd and gadaa are closer to one another, if not completely the same.

The term 'Gatka' is adapted even by the Budha Dal. This was the main objective of this thread. If Sanatani thinks that 'Gatka' is not a proper word, it means Budha Dal has used a wrong word. Again, Amrit Bha ji is proved right, when he said this:

Now, it is very common in Sikh circles to use word Gatka for all traditional martial arts, in which traditional weapons are used.

Budha Dal is agreed to Amrit Bha Ji.

[Akali_Sodhi]

Ok fair enough gatka may be a proper term or wa ever you lot wanna go on about....i still cnt see how some one who has done gatka for 1 year would beat some one who has done jang di vidya....

[Gurbar Akaal]

*sighs*

We can argue over terminology all day long, but who cares? What really matters is the application of the art, if you wanna talk about principles and concepts that are within martial arts, and how Gatka and Shastarvidiya/Jang Vidiya are the same then I could see the need for an article, but trying to kick up dust over the translation of "Kutka" is pointless.

The Budha Dal website went back to the original old one because Baba Uday Singh wanted to promote the Budha Dal School on there, since the "coming soon" one was just a blank page. In the future it will be revamped, and theres various other projects in the pipeline with Niddar Singh and Shriomani Budha Dal with the blessings of Baba Santa Singh, all you need to do is wait patiently and all will be revealed.

[sall]

Well said Akali Sodi, shows you're are true nang fan.

[Akali_Sodhi]

hell yeh.......but atleast dnt knock the art....the artform it self is spectacular....and any one with some knowledge would agree that SV is clearly out do gatka in techniques alone...

but allow it.....nang panth.....

[sall]

if so then why not have a competiton with the people who do gatka, why did nang niddar singh just hangs around when there are gatak tournaments , this guy has proven nothing to this day apart from infecting youth which useless nindyia of prominent sikhs puratan and vartman.

[Gurbar Akaal]

hell yeh.......but atleast dnt knock the art....the artform it self is spectacular....and any one with some knowledge would agree that SV is clearly out do gatka in techniques alone...

but allow it.....nang panth.....

What matters is your own ability, your own efforts and your own dedication, the art is an ideal, if you cant reach it and dont have the intention to reach it, why speak like you have mastered it? SV is a great art there is no denying that, but its only great in the hands of a great practitioner, someone who understands the concepts and has the ability to flow, change footwork and strategy depending on the countless variables that occur within a fight, ability to use all weapons etc is a true martial artist.

I dont believe in putting down other arts, because they are only as good as the practitioner, if a Gatkabaaj put in enough effort and time into his/her training, I see no reason why they wouldnt take out a SV student who trained half arsed, didnt turn up to classes and didnt train in their spare time.

Rather then talking about the ideal, you need to reach it.