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Paika akhadais anOdiaterm which roughly translates as "warrior gymnasium" or "warrior school".[1]The martial arts performed by the people ofKhandayatcaste (peasant-militias) andGopalcaste (Cowherds)[2]inOdisha,eastern India. In former times they served as thePaikas(foot Soldiers) under the kings. Today's paika akhada are used for practicing the traditional physical exercises in addition to the paika dance, a performance art with rhythmic movements and weapons being hit in time to the drum. It incorporates acrobatic manoeuvres and use of thekhanda (straight sword),patta (guantlet-sword),sticks, and other weapons.
The wordpaikacomes from the Odiapadatikameaning infantry. "Akhada"orakhararefers to a training hall, or in this case referring to a particular string of such schools. The former spelling is an alternate transcription of the proper Sanskritakharain which the Oriya letterଡ଼ ṛ,a flapped[ɽ]sound, is rendered asdas in most Indian languages.
History
editPaika akhada were originally the training schools of the paikas. The paika were a landed militia who were exempted from taxes in lieu of their services. They were not in the regular pay-roll of the army, but still received large land grants from the king. They were organised into three ranks distinguished by their occupation and the weapons they wielded. These were the Pahari, bearers of shields and thekhanda (sword),the Banua who led distant expeditions and the Dhenkiya –archerswho also performed different duties in armies.[3]The word itself means "sword controller", fromkhanda (sword)andayata(control).[1]Commanders calledDala Beherawere each in charge of several villages of paika.
In times of peace the paika served as law enforcement, and the paika akhada were used to keep the warrior class physically and mentally fit.[4]Kharavelaof ancientKalingarelied on the military might of the paika in his campaigns.[5]The paika reached their zenith of power during theGajapati Dynasty,[1]
The paika lost their power and prestige in the early 19th century as theIndian subcontinentcame under therule of the East India Company(EIC). Discontent over the EIC's policies resulted in thePaika Rebellionof 1817, wherein the formerbaxi(commander)Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra Railead 400 paika in a revolt against Company rule. The rebels sacked the civil buildings and treasury in Khurda, killing several Company officials.Company troopssent to quell the rebellion were met with sustained attacks from the paika, with the commander of one detachment being killed in action during a battle at Gangpada. They defended the Barunei Fort at Khurda during the rebellion, though it was eventually captured by a force of Company troops. The paika managed to capture the southern portion of Odisha, and the rebellion lasted a year before it was put down. To ensure such a revolt would not repeat itself, the Company administration undertook vigorous steps to suppress the martial practices of Odisha.[citation needed]
Paika families preserved the paika akhada through annual performances.[6]This has continued to the present day, but the tradition is increasingly uncommon. Once exclusive to men, Soubaghini Debi became the first female performer a few decades ago, opening the art to both genders. Paika akhada are increasingly rare in Odisha today and the plight of its artistes have been highlighted in the state.[7]To conserve and promote the art, thegovernment of Odishahas proposed to establish a Paika Akhada Academy in theGajapati district.[6]The art is performed along with other war-dances and fighting styles during the annualKalinga Mahotsavfestival at the Vishwa Shanti Stupa.
Performance
editDescendants of the paika practice at their local akhara every day after work. Demonstrations are arranged every year for theDasaharafestival and other occasions. The grounds are first prepared with soft earth sprinkled with oil and water. The performers stand in two rows with wooden swords and shields. They approach each other slowly before the tempo of the music increases, at which point they engage in mock combat. Today, It's one of the best Indian martial arts in the world.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abc"Paika Akhada".Indian Association of Kickbo xing Organisations. Archived fromthe originalon 12 July 2011.Retrieved9 February2013.
- ^Akio Tanabe (29 July 2021).Caste and Equality in India: A Historical Anthropology of Diverse Society and Vernacular Democracy.Routledge.ISBN978-1-00-040933-8.
- ^Mohanty, N.R. (August 2008)."The Oriya Paika Rebellion of 1817"(PDF).Orissa Review:1–3.Retrieved13 February2013.
- ^"'Paika Akhada' performance wows all ".The Hindu.November 22, 2010.Retrieved9 February2013.
- ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2013-11-11.Retrieved2013-11-11.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ab"Paika Academy to be set up".The Hindu.October 10, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon October 14, 2008.Retrieved9 February2013.
- ^"Pulsating performances".The Hindu.March 28, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon April 1, 2008.Retrieved9 February2013.