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Jack be nimble
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Anand Sankar watches some of the army's admirable traditions
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GRAVITY-DEFYING Malkhamb is about physical fitness as well as entertainment PHOTO: AP
The Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) is one of the oldest and most prestigious infantry regiments in the Indian Army. Its first battalion, known as Jangi Paltan, was raised way back in 1768 as part of the Bombay Sepoys. It is a frontline unit that is always first on the line when it comes to battle. Its men are trained to be hard as steel but you'd be surprised to know that they are also nimble enough to practise malkhamb — the ancient Indian gymnastic form.
Composed mainly of Maratha soldiers, the unit takes pride in preserving this ancient art form that was very much a part of Maratha history.
"Shivaji's admiral Kanhoji Angre used to keep his sailors fit by making them exercise on the masts of the ships," says the unit spokesperson. "In our unit over 160 boys take part in the training. We usually have it on the Battle Honour Day. We perform it at night when all the senior officers and retired officers are present."
The unit members are very shy and their performance at Bangalore was one of the first in full media glare. The silky smooth asanas and the part where the men blow fire balanced horizontally, practically defying gravity, on the poles are breathtaking. And they have performed the same moves in diverse parts of the world.
"We have performed in 1947 at Japan during the surrender, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and even in Basra, Iraq, during World War I."
The performance is always done by the jawans in the unit, though the officers have done it in their younger days.
"Battle Honour Day is a day when the unit performed exceptionally well in battle. But some of the new generation of soldiers might not know it. So on that day we re-enact the battle and also have the malkhamb training. It helps the soldiers relate to the unit's history and culture. It makes them feel a part of the unit. Every regiment in the army has a special routine like this," the spokesperson says while adding that it also boosts morale.
"The men are away from home for so much time. Malkhamb helps them relate to home when on postings. It is a great cure for homesickness and also entertainment on what is 26-hour and not a 24-hour job."
You can watch the unit perform at the exhibition which is open between 10 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. and the flying displays are between 10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
On two wheels and a prayer
It's sundown and I watch the Tornadoes, one the Indian Army's finest bike stunt teams, practice at the Army Service Corps Centre and College (South) parade ground. Attired in their trademark gear, these men handle the heavy 350 cc Enfields as if they were bicycles.
Through their daredevilry that includes riding through flaming hoops, smashing through rows of tube lights and criss-crossing each other's paths at 60 kmph, they symbolise all that the army stands for — physical fitness, courage and determination. The team was originally formed in 1982 — under the name Thunderbolts — by Col. C.N. Rao, VSM at ASC Centre (North), Gaya and now it is led by Capt. Anurag Malhotra. It comprises two officers, one JCO and 30 jawans — all volunteers, united by their passion for riding.
"Any officer or jawan from ASC who has the knack can apply. To select, the senior team members conduct a few small tests for balance, manoeuvring, physical fitness and self-confidence," says Capt. Malhotra.
The rigorous training and selection are necessary because the team performs at least one or two shows a month, both in India and abroad.
The team has set many records over the years, the latest one covering a distance of 600 metres with 34 men on a single motorcycle. Daredevils, the Signals team, beat their human pyramid record recently.
"We set a record carrying 181 men on 11 motorcycles for 600 metres. Signals beat us by carrying 210 men. We hope to beat them in December when we try again," says Capt. Malhotra.
The men take care of their bikes as if they were an extension of themselves. Each is meticulously painted, polished and tuned — army standard. "The bikes are well rogered and maintained," laughs Capt. Malhotra, who is the person best placed to answer what `rogered' means. The team uses high-quality tyres for the bikes which are inflated many times the normal pressure to take the extra load.
"The rider must be flexible. He should be able to shift his weight easily. You need to have right-left and front-back balance when you have many people on the bike. And hand-eye co-ordination is paramount. Our scissor crossing is famous because we cross each other at 60 kmph in a chain. We judge speed by just looking into each other's eyes."
The team practises yoga every day. "Before a show, we sit down and pray. We worship our bikes because they are our best friends. Then after the show, we congratulate ourselves," says Capt. Malhotra.
A.S.
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