Eternal India Encyclopedia

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.

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.

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

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.

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