Watch: The Indian martial arts instructor keeping guard on tradition

euronews (in English)

Sonali Kadu began learning the ancient armed martial art of Mardani Khel almost a decade ago.

Transcript

00:00This game has been played since the 16th century.

00:07This game used to be a martial art.

00:10It was used during the war.

00:14After the war, it was stopped.

00:16It was replaced by a game.

00:18This game is our ancestor's.

00:21It is our heritage.

00:23People have forgotten it.

00:25We feel bad telling them that it is our own game.

00:29It is our cultural heritage.

00:31We should remember it.

00:32My name is Sonali Kadu.

00:34I am a teacher in this game.

00:47You have seen the men's game.

00:49It is played in very few places.

00:51It takes a lot of time to learn this game.

00:55It takes a lot of time.

00:57People get tired of learning this game.

01:00It has no gender.

01:02It has no age limit.

01:04Anyone can play this game.

01:08I have taught more than 500,000 students.

01:13Currently, there are about 425,000 students in our school.

01:17When we teach the students,

01:21we start with a stick.

01:24After that, we teach them one by one.

01:26Once they are used to the stick,

01:28they learn how to use it.

01:30They learn how to use the stick.

01:36When we practice,

01:38we give them positive and negative points.

01:41We tell them that they will not get hurt

01:43if they play this game.

01:45We tell them that they will get hurt

01:47if they play this game.

01:49We tell them that they will not get hurt.

01:52We tell them that they will get hurt.

01:56Why do I play this game?

01:58It is for my own safety.

02:00When I first came here,

02:02I used to come here and sit quietly.

02:05I used to practice when I had to.

02:08Now that I am here,

02:10I have become very confident.

02:16I am not afraid of anything.

02:19It is because I have played this game.

02:23We don't like to teach others.

02:26We tell the kids to play in their own language.

02:29We tell the adults to play in their own language.

02:31I like that.

02:34I feel that we should all play this game.

02:37That is why I started to play this game.

02:40I will play this game until I grow up.

02:44I will continue to play this game.

02:47I will play this game until I grow up.

02:50I want to continue to play this game.

02:58We don't just play this game.

03:01We play it everywhere.

03:05We always wear traditional costumes.

03:09We follow their traditions.

03:14When we go to Navari,

03:17we change instantly.

03:20We don't talk casually.

03:23We talk in a different way.

03:26We change immediately.

03:29When we go to Navari.

03:35Our audience is mostly outside.

03:38They are outside the city.

03:41They are out of the city or out of the district.

03:45Our goal is to reach as many people as possible.

03:50This is our traditional game.

03:53My favorite part of this game is that

03:56I love to hit the ball.

03:58It is a fast ball.

04:00It goes 360 degrees.

04:02When new people come to learn this game,

04:05they are always welcomed.

04:08They have to be mentally prepared.

04:11They have to learn it.

04:14They have to work hard.

04:17You don't get anything easily.

04:19You have to work hard.

04:21You will get good results.

04:25Many people see this game as physical fitness.

04:29They see it as stress relief.

04:32But when we play, we forget everything.

04:35We forget our daily routine.

04:38We forget everything.

04:40I was like this 9 years ago.

04:42I am not like this now.

04:44Learning this game,

04:46I have developed my stamina,

04:48concentration,

04:50and communication skills.

04:53I used to be calm.

04:55I used to be scared.

04:58Now I interact with everyone.

05:02You can use this game

05:05only if something happens to you.

05:08You can use it in different ways.

05:11You don't learn anything new.

05:14Learn any art.

05:17So that you don't feel insecure.

05:23Many people say that

05:25girls shouldn't go out after 7pm.

05:27They should come home at 10pm.

05:30I can't do this.

05:32I can't go out with 4 people.

05:34I can do it.

05:36I will do it.

05:38They should be mentally fit.

05:40They shouldn't be scared.

05:42They can do it.

05:44They have a presence of mind.

05:46They have a willpower.

05:48That's a lot.

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