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From Kashmir, a defensive martial art form

BOLD MOVES: Members of the Sqay Association of Kerala performing in Thrissur on Sunday.

Sqay, a martial art form from Kashmir, is relatively new to Kerala. But its swift movements and defensive steps are familiar to the State — they are similar to those of kalaripayattu.

Like any other martial art form, sqay demands a blend of brain and brawn. Nearly 50 members of the Sqay Association of Thrissur, trained by Sqay National Association vice-president K.P. Ravindran, displayed their skills at the Indoor Stadium, here, on Sunday.

Though still in its infancy, the Sqay Association of Kerala has bagged two gold medals in the last National School Games. It also won a gold and a silver medal in the National Sqay Competition.

The Persian word sqay means ‘knowledge of war’. Legend has it that thousands of years ago, Kashmir’s King Dharyadev trained his fighters in this defensive art form. The modern form of sqay was introduced in Kashmir by Nazeer Ahmed Mir. Now sqay is practised in 20 States.

“Like in kalaripayattu, sqay employs weapons such as swords and shields,” says Mr. Ravindran. “Tora’, the sqay sword is made of bamboo with leather cover. Burgula, the shield is made of leather. Sqay combines elements of kalaripayattu, karate and taekwondo.

A wide range of combat methods such as blows, kicks, punches, locks and chops are used in sqay. The fighters wear protective jackets.

It has four kinds of competitions — Loba (fighting), Khawankay (Katta), Mathol (power breaking) and Aerosqay. There are five grades in sqay — blue, yellow, green, brown, red and black belts.

“Sqay makes one bold, self-assured and physically fit,” says Mr. Ravindran.

The association is now on a mission to popularise the martial art form in the State by attracting more youngsters to sqay.

Mini Muringatheri

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