Lathi khela
Stick fighting | |
Famous practitioners | Pulin Behari Das |
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Olympic sport | No |
Meaning | Staffplay |
Part of a series on the |
Culture of Bengal |
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History |
Cuisine |
Lathi khela (
Etymology
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.[5][6]
Instruments
The lathi is normally made of the
History
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.[7]
Although lathi is practised in Indian and Bangladeshi villages, urbanization has led to its decline as a rural
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.[7][8]
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.[9]
See also
- Boli Khela
References
- ISBN 978-0-549-09962-8.
- ISBN 978-984-31-0478-6.
- ^ "Lathi Khela to celebrate Tangail Free Day". The Daily Star. 13 December 2011.
- ^ a b "'Lathi khela' at Charukala". bangladesh2day.com. 27 December 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ "Three-day cultural fair ended in Barisal". New Age. 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 উৎসবের নানা রং. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2 August 2013. Archived from the original on 9 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Lathi Khela to celebrate Tangail Free Day". Dhaka Mirror. 13 December 2011. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ "Two-day long traditional Lathi Khela ended in Kushtia". The Kushtia Times. 13 December 2010. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2013.