Reviving custom: Karrasamu returns to Andhra Pradeshs martial arts scene

A sudden burst of power fills the air one night at VMRDA Central Park. With sticks in hand, a staff consisting of individuals of a blended age group, launches into motion. Eyes locked in focus, their fingers transfer with precision, executing intricate strikes and blocks with easy grace. The actions movement seamlessly from one method to a different, showcasing the great thing about the martial artwork type of karrasamu (stick fencing).

This conventional martial artwork type of Andhra Pradesh has seen a revival in Visakhapatnam within the current years, because of the efforts of coach BA Lakshman Dev and his institute Baldev’s Indian Traditional Martial Arts. The institute has greater than 50 folks aged 5 to 60 years who’re presently present process coaching in karrasamu. Every morning from 6am onwards, college students collect at Central Park, perfecting the fluidity of their actions with sweeping kicks, swift punches and complex footwork.

Over the previous 15 years, Lakshman has educated tons of of kids and youth in Visakhapatnam and its neighbouring districts on this distinctive type of fight that could be a mix of method, self-discipline and cultural heritage. Many of his college students have made a mark within the nationals, taking the recognition of the game a notch greater within the coastal metropolis.

A local of Srikakulam, Lakshman is a 3rd technology karrasamu practitioner who learnt the artwork from his father and grandfather. “When I got here to Visakhapatnam to start out my institute, there have been hardly a handful of people that got here to be taught the game. Its reputation has elevated over time. People are realising the significance of conventional fight sport in enhancing flexibility, focus and general health. The fantastic thing about the game is one can begin coaching at any age,” says Lakshman.

He believes that introducing these conventional sports activities in colleges can go a great distance in serving to protect the cultural id of the area and encourage the younger technology to remain related to their roots.

Origin and historical past

Karrasamu dates again to a number of centuries in Andhra Pradesh. This martial artwork advanced as a method of self-defence to stop thefts and theft, widespread in villages previously and over time was handed down by way of generations. The title ‘karra’ interprets to stay and ‘samu’ refers to combating or fight.

Karrasamu practitioners say that the martial artwork isn’t just a type of self protection; it’s a lifestyle. “The sport additionally helps them one stay alert and conscious of their environment,” says Lakshman and provides that this is among the causes the game has been steadily drawing ladies. “It teaches self-discipline, focus and self-control. I additionally really feel empowered in some ways,” says 27-year-old P Sudha, a nationwide silver medalist in karrasamu. Sudha, who has been present process coaching on the Baldev’s Indian Traditional Martial Arts, says her journey within the martial artwork has been a life altering expertise. “I really feel much more assured in my life and my flexibility and power has gone up significantly. The journey has been massively empowering for me,” says Sudha.

For B Mahalakshmi, a pupil of grade 10, karrasamu has improved her focus ranges and arm power. At 58, S Narayana began coaching lately when he was on the lookout for methods to cross time after dropping his son to his faculty and courses within the metropolis. It didn’t take him lengthy to get hooked on to the visually fascinating and energetic martial artwork type throughout certainly one of his informal walks on the Central Park. “I’m a daily right here now; it’s a meditative expertise which I sit up for day by day,” he provides.

Practitioners bear rigorous coaching to grasp these methods, which embrace a warm-up session of working round a bit of the park, adopted by an array of kicks, blocks and grappling maneuvers. Lakshman has additionally launched different conventional martial artwork types of Gatka that has its roots in Punjab, Silambam of Tamil Nadu and Kattisamu (sword battle).

Like many conventional martial arts, Karrasamu faces challenges within the trendy period. While it fights for the highlight amidst the attract of latest fight sports activities and different life-style modifications, karrasamu shouldn’t be recognised beneath the sports activities quota by the State Government. “Despite its historic roots and plenty of nationwide medallists from Andhra Pradesh, karrasamu hasn’t bought any recognition, not like different conventional martial arts like silambam that was recognised by the Tamil Nadu authorities in 2021,” rues Lakshman. Lack of infrastructure assist is one other deterrent for this conventional martial artwork.