Eternal India
encyclopedia
SPORTS
a)
If he lifts his opponent in the air and keeps him suspended for
a count of six in five seconds, or
b)
When he pins his opponent down to the ground in any
position for a count of six in five seconds.
TRIPURA
Gela-Chutt:
A game to be played between two groups, there
is no hard and fast rule regarding the dimensions of the playing area
as also the number of players in each group. During play, one group
will nominate a 'king' whose endeavour it will be reach a particular
marked area which is called 'ghar'. (house). The opposition will spill
into the marked area to try and prevent the 'king' from entering the
'ghar', while the king's player will try to ensure a safe path for him.
NAGALAND
While wrestling with local innovations is a popular sport of this
region, another sport similar to Tae-Kwan-do is also well known
and practised. The participants stand apart on their respective
marks and exchange kicks. The use of hands to strike or catch is
disallowed. Personified by extreme agility, speed, raw guts and
lightning leg work, the kicks continue till one participant surrenders.
KERALA
Kalari Payattu
: An ancient form of martial art specific to
Kerala, this sport is practised in a special kind of gymnasium known
as Kalari. This is an elaborate martial art involving training in many
combat forms. The different stages of training begin with 'Uzhichil'
or massage with gingili oil, followed by 'Maipayattu' or body exer-
cises. Then begins a series of battle training sessions starting from
the 'sticks of kolthari', the 's-shaped staff or otta', then followed by
'Anga Thari or metal weapons', the 'puliyankam or sword fight', the
'spear vs sword' and culminating in the 'verumkai or bare-handed'.
TAMIL NADU
Silambam
: This ancient sport perhaps dating back to the Pa-
leolithic and Neolithic ages is popular as 'Lathi' in Maharashtra,
'Dhal Lakadi' in Gujarat, 'Karattam' in Andhra Pradesh, 'Neduvadi'
in Kerala and 'Silambam' in Tamil Nadu. However, this sport is be-
lieved to have been perpetuated by Pandya, Chera and Chola Kings
of Tamil Nadu. According to an inscription, a Kalinga King of Central
India waged battles against Tamil Kings using this technique during
the middle of the second century B.C. A well-developed pattern of
ADDRESSESS OF NATION
All India Carrom Federation,
South Plaza, Indira Gandhi
Stadium, Indra Prastha Estate, New Delhi-110 002.
All India Chess Federation
Nona Manzil, Post Nallalam, Calicut-673 027.
All India Football Federation
Gate No.28, J.N. Stadium, New Delhi.
All India Tennis Association
B-3/7, Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi-110 002.
Amateur Athletics Federation of India
Room No. 1148, Gate-28. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New
this ancient art form can still be traced in some parts of Tamil Nadu.
Four types of staves are used, viz; one which produces a sonorous,
swishing sound; another that carries lighted cloth balls at one end
and is called Torch Silambam; another staff is short in length but
effective in and defence; and the fourth is a non-elastic short staff
that produces a clattering sound.
NICOBAR
1
Asol Aap:
A canoe race organised in Car Nicobar by the
Nicobar Athletic Association. Participants in each canoe vary
from 40 to 90 in races conducted over distances of five to six
kms in the open sea during the dry season.
2
Asol-Tale aap:
A canoe race on sand on a craft that is built
from the trunk of a coconut palm. The participants sit in the
canoe with a leg on the ground and propel it through the sand by
the force of their hands and legs.
3
Kirip
: This is a form of wrestling and competition is decided
over three to five rounds.
4
Hara
: A game similar to Kho Kho indulged by both men
and
women, it is played during Easter or on the death of
a
village
elder. The teams can either be five-a-side, six-a-side or
seven-a-side.
5
Saldu:
Generally played on vacant land, it is similar to Kabaddi,
but a maximum of 20 players can take part in each side.
6
Ke Nang Haun:
Predominantly a male sport, it involves
fighting with a pig usually during 'ossuary feasts' or pig festi-
vals.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
1
Thoda
: This martial art owes its origins to the bows and
arrows. However, in modern times the arrow is blunted with
a
round piece of wood in order to reduce its wounding potential.
Legend has it that this sport is a re-enactment of the
'Ma-
habharata' war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. The
con-
testants are divided into two groups called Pashis and Saathis,
who are respectively believed to be the descendants of
Pan-
davas and Kauravas. The target is the leg of the opponent below
the knee.
2
Dwand-Yudh:
Another version of the above sport when op-
ponents are separated by a distance of 10 metres and attack to
tune of exciting music. Negative points are awarded for hitting
wrong targets.
L
L SPORTS FEDERATIONS
Delhi-110 003.
Amateur Baseball Federation of India
112/4, Onkar Nagar-B, Trinagar, Delhi-110 035.
Amateur Handball Federation of India
27, Parade Ground, Jammu Tawi-180 001.
Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India
119/1 A, Harish Mukherjee Road, Calcutta-700 026.
Archery Association of India
Ambapeth, Amravati, Maharashtra.