Foreigners Flock to Pune to Learn Mardani Khel, Maharashtra’s Historic Martial Art
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Shivajinagar, 4th September 2024: Coaching for a unique martial art known as ‘Mardani Yuddha Kala’ or ‘Mardani Khel’ is being conducted in Pune’s Shivajinagar by the Shri Shivajiraje Mardani Akhada organization.
This martial art, an artistic form of combat and war strategy, dates back to the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The organization has been teaching this skill for the past 25 years. Around 150 students participate in the training daily, and since this art is closely connected to Maharashtra’s rich cultural history, it has garnered significant encouragement and support.
Students from all backgrounds, including men, women, IT professionals, homemakers, and foreign citizens, attend daily training. Head Coach Vijay Ayawale Patil, who learned this art form in Kolhapur, a region known for this traditional martial art, believes that ‘Mardani Khel’ is more relevant today than ever. He advocates for it to become a national sport and gain international recognition.
The fees for this unique and traditional martial arts training are Rs 1,000 per month. Students can attend sessions at Rokdoba Mandir Hall in Shivajinagar Gaonthan daily, from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The coach believes that dedicating just a few hours each day to learning this art will lead to improved focus, discipline, and overall personality development.
The students of Shri Shivajiraje Mardani Akhada showcase their art form every year during the first day of Ganesh Utsav, participating in the procession of one of the ‘Manacha Ganpati’—Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganesh Mandal. The students, who enthusiastically attend these sessions to learn Maharashtra’s traditional martial arts, are guided by Head Coach Vijay Ayawale Patil, along with Rahul Mohite, Vinayak Sutar, Kuldeep Avchar, Sonali Kadu, Harshada Deshmukh, and Devashri Deshmukh.
Ayawale Patil told Punekar News, “I learned this art form in Kolhapur when I was young. For the past 25 years, I have been teaching it. The art form is highly relevant in today’s world as it injects discipline. It teaches us how to confront not only physical challenges but also mental struggles. It equips us with self-defence skills, and we ensure that all our students, especially the female ones, are more than capable of protecting themselves. Judo, Karate, and Kung Fu are martial arts from other cultures, but Mardani Khel is Maharashtra’s own, and everyone should learn it. We want this sport to be played at both national and international levels.”
Foreigners Drawn to Mardani Khel
Even foreigners are enthusiastically learning this art form. This year, a female student named Latoya from Germany is attending a 10-day workshop organized by the group. Last year, two other foreigners also attended sessions to learn ‘Mardani Khel.’ Latoya will be performing during the Ganesh Utsav for Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganesh Mandal on the first day. She eagerly embraced the training and shared, “While practising, I felt a strong urge to learn something new from this enthusiasm. I practised with full vigour and no laziness. After returning home, I will continue to practice regularly in my country.”
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Mardani Khel: Ancient Art Vital to Marathas
Mardani Khel is a 1,500-year-old weapon-based martial art from Maharashtra, India, particularly from the Kolhapur region. It played a crucial role in the Marathas’ warfare strategies, alongside guerilla tactics. The art form involves 14 techniques for using weapons like swords, sticks, and the unique Indian vita (corded lance), which could be thrown and retrieved. Mardani Khel also focuses on exploiting human anatomy weaknesses during combat. Today, it is a performing art symbolizing the Maratha’s brave heritage, with training centres in Mumbai, Pune, and Kolhapur. However, its practice remains largely limited to Kolhapur.
