GATKA
The Dance of the Sword

Rome, 1987
 Gatka is an ancient battle-tested martial art used by the Sikhs of Northern India, which uses the sword as its primary weapon.
The word gatka itself refers to the wooden stick (special handle on stick) , but many are the shastar (weapons) used in this art, such as sticks, swords, spears, chains, rope, and daggers: there are over 40 kinds of weapons that a player can choose. The art itself is performed very fast and fluidly. It requires very little muscle power, since the circular movements of the hand and feet allow for weapons to be in constant motion as a result of their own momentum.
Gatka is a complete martial system which helps the individual with all aspects of their life: mind, body and spirit. The techniques involved are extremely effective as well as visually spectacular, they sharpens your reflexes and lends a unique grace to the movements.
Using the body to create rhythm challenges the mind to organize and focus on different rhythmic patterns, which will balance both the hemispheres of the brain, boosting the power of concentration, acquiring an overall alertness.
The sword turns in effortless circles at the beat of the drums and of the Bani of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, the Warrior/Saint. Shakti (Power) and Bhakti (Devotion) are involved; a good gatka practitioner is recognized by the nature of his/her personality and attitude. Ego has no place in the mind of the warrior: the heart rules.

Rome, 1987

Baisakhi, Los Angeles, 1990

"Gatka is not only a defense art but it is a total definition of human fulfillment, human essence and human grace. It is a martial art that makes a person fearless, it makes a person revenge less, it makes a person concentrate. Every movement is scientifically originated, organized and projected for the parameter in which there is nothing but success. It needs dedication, it needs devotion, and it needs time."

Siri Singh Sahib Ji
SiriKartar started the first steps of Gatka in Rome,1984, when Mata Mandir Singh was invited at "La Spada Khalsa", the Yoga Center she co-founded and co-directed with Guru Shabad Singh. In 1985 they invited Nanak Dev Singh to teach further Gatka workshops and to organize competitions.
Soon after moving to the United states in 1988, SiriKartar began to teach Gatka to the Sangat of the larger Los Angeles County.
In 1997 Ustad Bhai Chattra Singh, a devoted Gatka teacher, moved from India to Los Angeles. SiriKartar then had the opportunity to further practice under his gracious guidance.
For the past year, SiriKartar has been serving as a consultant and Gatka instructor in the making of a Hollywood movie.