The word lathi is the Bengali word meaning stick, while khela means a sport or game. Therefore, lathi khela translates as a game of sticks.[6][7]
Instruments
The lathi is normally made of the male bamboo and sometimes bound at short intervals with iron rings. A typical lathi measures 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.4 m). Some, called bari, are shorter and may be wielded like a baton or bludgeon. In the past, sticks could be paired with shields, as can still be seen in nori bari (mock stick-fight) demonstrations.
History
Stick fighting has an ancient history in South Asia, tracing back to the region's aboriginal[citation needed][clarification needed] inhabitants. Rich farmers and other eminent people hired lathial for security and as a symbol of their power. Duels were used as a way to protect or take land and other possessions. A proverb in some South Asian languages is "whoever wields the lathi keeps the buffalo". Zamindars (feudal lords) sent groups of lathial to forcefully collect taxes from villagers. Lathi training was at one time included in the Bratachari system of education.[8]
Although lathi is practised in Indian and Bangladeshi villages, urbanization has led to its decline as a rural martial art in recent decades. Until 1989, an annual nationwide lathi khela convention was held in Kushtia, Bangladesh, where troupes from all over the country took part.[5] Due to the drop in practitioners and spectators, the convention is now held once every three years. Even in the districts where lathi troupes once flourished, only several now remain. Today, lathi khela is most often seen during festivals and weddings.[9] Matches are held in West Bengal for certain puja rituals, and a similar sport called chamdi is played during Eid in North Bengal.
Practice
Lathial group performed acts like Baoi Jhak (group fight), Nori Bari (mock fight with sticks), Fala Khela and Dao Khela (mock fight with sharp weapons) and Chhuri dance to music, in the presence of hundreds. These groups may learn the arts of dao khela (machete fighting) and fara khela (sword fighting), both of which are preserved today in the form of mock-fights. Matches are generally one-on-one, but the art includes mock-group fights or baoi jhak. In lathi the centre of energy is the heart chakra, and practitioners fight in a more upright position.[8][9]
Present day
The popularity of lathi khela is waning. Practice of this art form throughout the country can increase its popularity and ensure its continued existence.[10]
^ abঈদ উৎসবের নানা রং,সাইমন জাকারিয়া, দৈনিক প্রথম আলো। ঢাকা থেকে প্রকাশের তারিখ: আগস্ট ০২, ২০১৩
^ ab"Lathi Khela to celebrate Tangail Free Day". dhakamirror.com. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
^"Two-day long traditional Lathi Khela ended in Kushtia". thekushtiatimes.com. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
External links
‘Lathi khela’ at Charukala
Lathi Khela to celebrate Tangail Free Day
Two-day long traditional Lathi Khela ended in Kushtia
January 07, 2023
lathi, khela, bengali, traditional, bengali, martial, kind, stick, fighting, practised, india, bangladesh, practitioner, known, lathial, lathi, khela, competition, bangladeshfocusstick, fightingcountry, origin, bangladesh, indiafamous, practitionerspulin, beha. Lathi khela Bengali ল ঠ খ ল is a traditional Bengali martial art 1 2 a kind of stick fighting practised India and Bangladesh 3 4 A practitioner is known as a lathial 5 Lathi KhelaLathi khela competition in BangladeshFocusStick fightingCountry of origin Bangladesh IndiaFamous practitionersPulin Behari DasOlympic sportNoMeaningStaffplay Contents 1 Etymology 2 Instruments 3 History 4 Practice 5 Present day 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksEtymology EditThe word lathi is the Bengali word meaning stick while khela means a sport or game Therefore lathi khela translates as a game of sticks 6 7 Instruments EditThe lathi is normally made of the male bamboo and sometimes bound at short intervals with iron rings A typical lathi measures 6 to 8 feet 2 to 2 4 m Some called bari are shorter and may be wielded like a baton or bludgeon In the past sticks could be paired with shields as can still be seen in nori bari mock stick fight demonstrations History EditStick fighting has an ancient history in South Asia tracing back to the region s aboriginal citation needed clarification needed inhabitants Rich farmers and other eminent people hired lathial for security and as a symbol of their power Duels were used as a way to protect or take land and other possessions A proverb in some South Asian languages is whoever wields the lathi keeps the buffalo Zamindars feudal lords sent groups of lathial to forcefully collect taxes from villagers Lathi training was at one time included in the Bratachari system of education 8 Although lathi is practised in Indian and Bangladeshi villages urbanization has led to its decline as a rural martial art in recent decades Until 1989 an annual nationwide lathi khela convention was held in Kushtia Bangladesh where troupes from all over the country took part 5 Due to the drop in practitioners and spectators the convention is now held once every three years Even in the districts where lathi troupes once flourished only several now remain Today lathi khela is most often seen during festivals and weddings 9 Matches are held in West Bengal for certain puja rituals and a similar sport called chamdi is played during Eid in North Bengal Practice EditLathial group performed acts like Baoi Jhak group fight Nori Bari mock fight with sticks Fala Khela and Dao Khela mock fight with sharp weapons and Chhuri dance to music in the presence of hundreds These groups may learn the arts of dao khela machete fighting and fara khela sword fighting both of which are preserved today in the form of mock fights Matches are generally one on one but the art includes mock group fights or baoi jhak In lathi the centre of energy is the heart chakra and practitioners fight in a more upright position 8 9 Present day EditThe popularity of lathi khela is waning Practice of this art form throughout the country can increase its popularity and ensure its continued existence 10 See also Edit Martial arts portalBoli KhelaReferences Edit Khan Saleque 2007 Performing the imagi nation A Bangladesh Mise en scene New York University p 237 ISBN 9780549099628 Sylhet History and Heritage Bangladesh Itihas Samiti 1 January 1999 ISBN 9789843104786 Lathi khela Lathi khela 1 definition Lathi Khela to celebrate Tangail Free Day Tangail the daily star 13 December 2011 a b Lathi khela at Charukala bangladesh2day com 27 December 2008 Retrieved 9 June 2013 Three day cultural fair ended in Barisal newagebd com 26 February 2012 Archived from the original on 12 November 2013 Retrieved 9 June 2013 Islam Sirajul 2012 Lathial In Islam Sirajul Jamal Ahmed A eds Banglapedia National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh Second ed Asiatic Society of Bangladesh a b ঈদ উৎসব র ন ন র স ইমন জ ক র য দ ন ক প রথম আল ঢ ক থ ক প রক শ র ত র খ আগস ট ০২ ২০১৩ a b Lathi Khela to celebrate Tangail Free Day dhakamirror com 13 December 2011 Retrieved 9 June 2013 Two day long traditional Lathi Khela ended in Kushtia thekushtiatimes com 13 December 2010 Retrieved 9 June 2013 External links EditTraditional Bengali martial arts Lathi Khela is performed Lathi khela at Charukala Lathi Khela to celebrate Tangail Free Day Two day long traditional Lathi Khela ended in Kushtia Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lathi khela amp oldid 1121326388, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
