About Us

GATKA, AN INDIAN ANCIENT ART :

The traditional martial art Gatka, is an Indian ancient art used as an art of self-defence in vogue. It was introduced to Hindustan around four thousand years ago by the Aryans and is the mother of all martial arts. 'Gat' means excellence or success in one's own power; 'ka' means belonging to or of. Therefore "a person who practices Gatka becomes excellent and successful.

The traditional martial art was generally at public display during religious processions but Punjab Gatka Association (Regd.) (PGA) and Gatka Federation of India (Regd.) (GFI) have standardized the Gatka as a game in India and continuously promoting, popularizing and reviving it as a game in Punjab as well as in India similar to other amateur games.

It is a unique art to defend, display fighting skills and exercise self control which is the best part of the martial art Gatka. It is also meant to enable youth to stay healthy and agile by keeping them away from the menace of drug abuse and other intoxicants to lead a disciplined and pious life. Earlier, only the boys could be seen performing this art but now girls have also adopted it and are performing well.

A COSMOPOLITAN SPORT :

The present martial art form, Gatka, now a sport in India, is a style of fighting only with sticks between two Gatka players, intended to simulate the sword and focuses on infusing physical, spiritual and mental fitness. No sharp edged weapons are used in the transformed Gatka game. The martial art, in which Gatka (wooden stick) is used as a weapon, is called Gatkabaazi. Because the main weapon used in this martial art is Gatka, so people often call this martial art Gatka itself, instead of Gatkabaazi.

The Gatka Federation of India (GFI), a registered apex body, has adopted the conventional sports uniform (i.e. Track Suits or T-shirt with Knickers, Sneakers and a Headgear for protection) as a new dress code in the Rules & Regulations Book to play Gatka game in all competitions to make it a 'Cosmopolitan Sport' which was earlier almost on the verge of extinction.

The GFI has, for the first time, formulated and standardized the in-depth rules and regulations with pictorial guidelines in September 2009 for playing of Gatka game and providing training to the budding Gatkebaaz through workshops, seminars and camps under the new Gatka rules. It's a humble effort to revive a forgotten and dying art having a historical significance. Learn more Testimonials Indian martial art Gatka all set to become a national sport