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제목 [아시아] Lathi khela

  • 조회수
    517
  • 작성일
    2020-12-22
  • 첨부

© Shamim Tirmizi, 2014

Name Lathi khela
Alternative Names Lathikela, lathi kela, lathi-khela, লাঠি খেলা
Origin Bangladesh
Main Techniques Weapon-based
Weapons Sticks
Purpose of Practice Martial Games
Type of Origination Recovered
Degree of Sportification
Yes (Year: )      No
General Information Lathi khela is a traditional style of stick-fighting originating in Bangladesh. It can be practiced as a fighting art or as a martial dance. Lathi referring to ‘stick’ and khela to ‘game’ the literal meaning is ‘stick game’. Sticks are usually made from bamboo or rattan and slightly longer than the user’s height. (Sangam Institute of Indian martial arts, s.d.)Usually lathi khela is just practiced by men, but in Narail, close to the Indian border, women have joined the practice. Lathi khela performances are accompanied by music. Every region has a different execution. (Bhattacharyya, 2018)
History/Development Stick fighting techniques were a common and favored all around the world to train warriors. In medieval Bengal feudal lords used lathiyals (the practitioner, “person who wields sticks”) to protect their chiefdoms. As the socio-political and economic environment changes there was a decline in the practice of lathi khela during the British rule. (Bhattacharyya, 2018)
Another source mentions that revolutionary Pulin Behari Das founded Bangiya Byayam Samiti an institute where he trained young men in handling the lathi (stick) in order to fight the British invaders. (GetBengal Information Desk, 2019)
In 1932 Gurusaday Dutta initiated the Bratachari movement with the aim to preserve cultural diversity. (Bhattacharyya, 2018)
Transmission
(Policies/institutions)
According to GetBengal Bharat Sevashram Sangha is the only place teaching lathi khela now operating in Bangladesh. (GetBengal Information Desk, 2019) Bharat Sevashram is a religious movement that started in the early 20th century, lathi khela is part of the curriculum as a religious virtue and ritual. (Sangam Institute of Indian martial arts, s.d.)
The Shadhona Cultural Circle launched a project to promote lathi khela and has been the center of reviving the art. (The Daily Star, 2009; Bhattacharyya, 2018)
Sumedha Bhattacharyya shows Lathi khela is still alive as a popular martial dance in rural areas of Bangladesh. However, there is no systemized method for preservation and very little attention has been given by researchers. Bhattacharyya argues that the art is in need of a research-led initiative in order to fully revive it. (Bhattacharyya, 2018)
Relevant Organisations - Shadhona Cultural Circle
Additional Materials Sumedha Bhattacharyya carried out an in debt study on lathi khela in 2018, titled “Lathi-Khela: Art of defending the soul. The role of Gender in continuity of a Martial arts dance tradition in the Narail District of Bangladesh”
Video on lathi khela broadcasted by Somoy TV: kj

Video showing banethi, a stick rotating technique used in lathi khela:
References - Bhattacharyya, S. (2018). Lathi-Khela: Art of defending the soul. The role of Gender in continuity of a Martial arts dance tradition in the Narail District of Bangladesh
- GetBengal Information Desk, (2019). “Bengal’s ‘Lathi Khela’ is an answer to modern martial arts. Does it survive today?”. Get Bengal. Thinking Positive https://www.getbengal.com/details/bengal-s-lathi-khela-is-an-answer-to-modern-martial-arts-does-it-survive-today
- Sangam Institute of Indian martial arts. (s.d.). “Lathi Khela / Bengali Stick Art”, Martial Kingdom India, http://martialkingdomindia.blogspot.com/2019/06/lathi-khela.html
- The Daily Star. (2009). “Propagating a cultural movement through ‘Shadhona’. In conversation with Lubna Mariam”, The Daily Star, https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-119901