When 15-year-old Sharmishta was fighting an older opponent during her grading exam for Karate Black Belt at the Isshinryu Karate Academy, many parents felt that their children should also learn the art form, if not for passion, at least for self-defence.
Sensei Ganesh is equally committed to imparting the skills to his students.
His passion for the art was so overwhelming that he quit his bank job a few years ago and devoted his time to learning various combat techniques. Ganesh, who is fourth Dan (Black Belt in Kenshukai Isshinryu Karate, began teaching this martial art after his father's death.
His students are aged between 5 and 40 years and include homemakers. He says: “I grew up watching my father, Muthukrishnan, practise the traditional martial arts such as Silambam and Kuthuvarisai. He was running an academy with 50 students, but unfortunately, it had to be closed down.”
Determined to pursue his father’s dream, Ganesh learnt karate, initially for eight months from Shahjahan Master, followed by Shitoriyo training from Shihan Hussaini. He also learnt Kung fu and Isshinryu and got the first black belt in 2006.
Sensei Ganesh set up a branch of Kenshukai Isshinryu Karate Academy. He wanted to infuse traditional styles into Isshinryu Karate and established Bushido Isshinryu Karate Academy.
On Isshinryu, Ganesh says, it is derived from several older classical styles and is a synthesis of Shorin-Ryû karate, Gojû-ryû karate and kobudô.
Isshinryu means ‘one heart way’, suggesting ‘wholeheartedness’ or ‘completeness’. It is extremely effective on the streets, especially as self-defence.
“I make sure that all my students learn the traditional martial arts along with the katas of Isshinryu karate. I set up the Academy to train as many as I can. The aim is to impart discipline, self-control, dedication. It is not about victory or defeat,” says Ganesh.
Besides the regular Katas, he also teaches self-defence skills to his students. And he makes this mandatory for girl students after they reach the Purple II belt (Gojijitsu). He also trains working women and homemakers. Roopini (32), a homemaker, says: I joined to become fit and learn self-defence techniques.
Siddharth, class IX and a Black Belt I holder of this Karate Academy, says: “ Assignments lead to stress for me. This is a stress-buster.
The martial art has also helped me defend myself against those who bully me at school. I try to spread out my karate classes from Monday to Saturday in such a way that they don’t affect my studies.” He is so passionate about the art that he teaches the skills to some of his friends.
Meghna, class VIII and a Black Belt I holder, says the art keeps her fit and healthy. Having enrolled in NCC, she says, “I have to go for camps organised by the school and the self-defence skills come in handy. This art helps me stay alert.”
On the question of eligibility, Ganesh says only kids aged above five years can enrol in the Academy. Currently, he teaches at Kodambakkam, K.K. Nagar, Gill Nagar and Aminjikarai. Also, he conducts regular summer workshops, especially for women, on self-defence.
Sensei Ganesh can be contacted at 9841823807.
