November 12, 2019

Nihangs performing the Gatka in celebration of the 300th year of consecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, Maharashtra.

Nihangs performing the Gatka. Nihangs performing the Gatka

Today on Guru Nanak Jayanthi, we bring to you the Nihang, a Sikh warrior sect, known for their numerous victories throughout history, sometimes when they were hugely outnumbered. They are also referred to as the ‘Akali’ – the immortals. On the occasions of Sikh festivals, processions of Nihangs can be seen performing the Gatka. It is a sword dance (today performed with sticks more commonly than swords), that took shape as a result of the fusion of ancient Indian martial arts with sword practice sessions with the British Indian Army in the 19th century. The style was divided into 2 categories of rasmi (ritualistic) and khel (sport) in the 1880s. Gatka is now considered both a sword dance, and a sport.