The Hindu : National : Dals display traditional martial art ‘Gatka’

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Thursday, Oct 30, 2008
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Dals display traditional martial art ‘Gatka’

S. Harpal Singh

For the first time pilgrims from outside the city participate in Diwali Mohalla procession

— PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

CENTRE OF ATTRACTION: The decorated ‘Guru Maharaj da Ghoda’ (horse) being taken in procession around Nanded on Wednesday during the Gurta Gaddi

NANDED (MAHARASHTRA): The Sikh martial art called the ‘Gatka’ continues to be practised even today mainly by members of various Dals who value the Khalsa principle of always being in a state of readiness to meet any eventuality. Gatka has been second nature for Sikhs since the advent of the Khalsa by the Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

The martial art was on display at the 1-km-long ‘nagar keertan’ procession taken out by over 1 lakh devotees here on Wednesday as part of Diwali Mohalla. Five Dals from Punjab and two from Nanded participated in the exhibition of Gatka in the procession in connection with the tercentenary celebrations of Gurta Gaddi, or elevation of the Adi Granth as Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Guru of Sikhs.

For the first time in the history of the Diwali Mohalla celebrations at Nanded, pilgrims from outside the city formed the procession. All these years, only locals, including Sikh keertani jathas and Maratha bhajan mandalis, formed the ‘juloos.’

The ‘juloos’ of the ‘nagar keertan’ started from the main gate of the Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara, the focus of all celebrations here. The ‘Panj Pyaras’ led the procession with the Nishan Sahib while ‘aatishbazi’ or display of fireworks also formed a part of it.

The Guru Maharaj da Ghoda, or the horse of Guru Gobind Singh, decked up in golden vastra or clothing became the centre of attraction. Horses belonging to different Dals were also included in the procession. The Nanded Gurdwara has a stable consisting of about 40 horses of Afghan breed, the one preferred by Guru Gobind Singh himself. He had a blue-coloured horse named Badal and it was a legend in itself. It is believed that the Tenth Guru had departed for the heavenly abode along with Badal. It is also believed that he is ‘ang sang sahai,’ or physically present in the Hazur Sahib Gurdwara. The horses are groomed here for Guru Gobind Singh to ride in accordance with this belief.

Earlier in the day, the ‘Samagam sthal,’ or the convention centre, was inaugurated by the chairman of the Sachkhand Hazur Sahib Gurdwara Board, Dr. P.S. Pasricha. The Samagam sthal will be the centre where ‘keertan darbars,’ sermons and other activities at the community level will take place until the close of the tercentenary celebrations on November 4.

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