Ni-Yuddha

Akshay Mistry
Dhruv Shakha, Leicester

The Shareerik Vishay that I chose for my Shikshak Varsh at Sangh Shiksha Varg (SSV)
2018 was Ni-Yuddha. My intent was to go in depth and learn as much as possible over
the nine days to take back to Leicester and teach the Swayamsevaks at Dhruv Shakha.

Ni-Yuddha is an ancient martial art that originates from southern India. It translates as
“Unarmed Combat” and is said to be an early form of many popular martial arts that are
practiced today such as Karate, Kung Fu, Tae-kwon-Do and many others. It is said that
Shaolin Monks from the far east travelled to India in search of knowledge and upon
learning Ni-Yuddha, they took it back to their own countries to teach others.

Since the start of Sangh in 1925, Swayamsevaks have practiced this martial art for
over 90 years in India and all around the world; it is an art which enhances a person’s
co-ordination and control, discipline and confidence which are all good qualities to have
as Karyakartas of Sangh. Mastering of this art requires huge concentration, patience
and determination as there are highly technical and physical moves and combinations
involved in Ni-Yuddha.

This was the first time I attended SSV since 2010 and since that time much has
changed. The delivery of the varg is more organised, complex and very focused on
Karyakarta Nirmaan, a continuous aim for Sangh. There are more activities and periods
throughout the day therefore, the amount of information you process is a lot more than
before. My knowledge of Ni-Yuddha was very little except that some of the moves are
transferrable from when I used to practice Shotokan Karate. Previously as a
Shiksharthi in 2009 I specialised in Dand Yuddha, but even those skills had diminished.

I saw the attraction of Ni-Yuddha amongst a lot of Swayamsevaks in my Shakha and

therefore chose it as my Vishay in Shikshak Varsh so that I can master the techniques
and be able to teach it myself.

Over the course of the Varg, I got a refresher on the basics of Ni-Yuddha such as Ni-
Yuddha and Prayog Siddha, Mushtiprahar and Ksheps, I increased my ability and skill
in Kathas such as Bhoomivandan and learned new kicks, melee attacks and Prayogs
(combinations). Additionally, upon learning the moves I was able to teach Shiksharthis
from all three varshes; Prathmik, Pravesh and Praveen. This gave me valuable
experience in being a Shikshak.

On a final note I aim to instil the same discipline, control and coordination I developed
during my Shikshak Varsh and karate days in the Swayasevaks in my nagar and
hopefully be a lead shikshak in the teaching of Ni-Yuddha to younger and new
Swayamsevaks in the future.