Lathi khela ( bn, লাঠি খেলা) is a traditional Bengali martial art – a kind of

stick fighting Stick-fighting, stickfighting, or stick fighting is a variety of martial arts which use simple long, slender, blunt, hand-held, generally wooden "sticks" for fighting, such as a gun staff, bō, jō, walking stick, baston, arnis sticks or similar ...

practised

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

and

Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mo ...

. A practitioner is known as a ''lathial''.

Etymology

The word ''lathi'' is the

Bengali Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to: *something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia * Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region * Bengali language, the language they speak ** Bengali alphabet, the w ...

word meaning stick, while ''khela'' means a sport or game. Therefore, ''lathi khela'' translates as a game of sticks.

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 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 A proverb (from la, proverbium) is a simple and insightful, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic language. A proverbial phrase or a proverbia ...

in some South Asian languages is "whoever wields the lathi keeps the buffalo".

Zamindar A zamindar (Hindustani language, Hindustani: Devanagari: , ; Persian language, Persian: , ) in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semiautonomous Raja, ruler of a province. The term itself came into use during the reign of Mughal Em ...

s (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.
ঈদ উৎসবের নানা রং
',সাইমন জাকারিয়া, দৈনিক প্রথম আলো। ঢাকা থেকে প্রকাশের তারিখ: আগস্ট ০২, ২০১৩ Although lathi is practised in Indian and Bangladeshi villages, urbanization has led to its decline as a rural

martial art Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preserv ...

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. 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. Matches are held in

West Bengal West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fou ...

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 Chakras (, ; sa , text=चक्र , translit=cakra , translit-std=IAST , lit=wheel, circle; pi, cakka) are various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, or the esoteric or ...

, and practitioners fight in a more upright position.

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.

References

External links

Traditional 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
{{Martial arts Bangladeshi martial arts Combat sports South Asian martial arts Sport in Bangladesh Stick-fighting Sport in India Traditional sports of Bangladesh