Sikh Warrior Arts

**wikidbounce** · Posted On: 8/15/2012 6:58pm

There's nothing like this available anywhere near me, just curious if anyone here has any experience and how it relates to FMA training.

Especially interested in how combining strikes with footwork compares.

**Mr. Machette** · Posted On: 8/15/2012 9:01pm

One "origin story" (see HEARSAY) is that Kali is a decended art from the ancient Indian forms.

Suposedly as the Indian arts propogated throughout southeast asia, they were eventually brought to the Phillipine Islands by Maylay explorers and settlers in whatever form they had mutated into by that time. (Silat or it's predecessor possibly?)

This has been presented as an explanation why IMA, Silat and Kali seem to have so many techniques in common.

This story is unfortunately about as empirical as the million different theories an explanations regarding the meaning and origin of the word "Kali" in FMA. So take it as that. Just another origin story...

**Chili Pepper** · Posted On: 8/15/2012 9:04pm

Originally Posted by wikidbounce

There's nothing like this available anywhere near me, just curious if anyone here has any experience and how it relates to FMA training.

I've trained with Nidar Singh before (and will again - he's in town at the end of this month), and it doesn't really relate to FMA, outside of the fact that you're using sticks and blades. It really is a completely different structure.

Basically, I view his art as an "exotic". FMA is awesome for developing the necessary foundation and fighting prowess, and I'm exploring his material to see if I can develop some high-end skills with it.

**Chili Pepper** · Posted On: 8/15/2012 9:09pm

And, in fact, here I am, at around the 4:18 mark:

**wikidbounce** · Posted On: 8/16/2012 12:08am

Originally Posted by Chili Pepper

I've trained with Nidar Singh before (and will again - he's in town at the end of this month), and it doesn't really relate to FMA, outside of the fact that you're using sticks and blades. It really is a completely different structure.

Although some people say there's only so many ways you can swing a stick, the style does look quite different. How does combining strikes and footwork differ from what your used to?

**Permalost** · Posted On: 8/16/2012 1:23am

I think its a pretty interesting style. He seemed really adept at drawing his weapons and attacking with them, in one continuous motion. There was some pretty gnar spine manipulations in there.

**Chili Pepper** · Posted On: 8/16/2012 8:09am

Originally Posted by Permalost

He seemed really adept at drawing his weapons and attacking with them, in one continuous motion.

Yes, that's another thing I appreciated - too many FMA'ers start from "so I've got the weapon in my hand". Saw a demo years ago, where one of the combatants hadn't practiced drawing the knife from under his shirt. Spent a long, painful few moments struggling to draw the damn thing, in front of a few hundred people.

**Chili Pepper** · Posted On: 8/16/2012 8:11am

Originally Posted by wikidbounce

Although some people say there's only so many ways you can swing a stick, the style does look quite different. How does combining strikes and footwork differ from what your used to?

I would say the footwork is the big difference. They work with fairly small steps, using a push-step rather than a walking gait, and Nidar Singh has an uncanny ability to judge distance/range.

**W. Rabbit** · Posted On: 8/16/2012 9:14am

There was another thread on shastar vidya on BS...can't find it atm so here is the BBC story from last year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15480741