Martial Arts - karate in India

It is said that the ultimate goal of “Karate” is laying into conquering the perfection of the character rather than to gain victory or to defeat. Karate is not meant for aggression, but it is a defensive martial art. Karate is all about the discipline. Somehow the origin of Karate is related to India. History shows that the root of this martial art is embedded to India. During the early 5^th century BC Bodhidharma arrived in Shaolin-si, China from India and taught Zen Buddhism. It is believed that the Indian Buddhist monks had found Zen Buddhist monks sickly, malnourished and un-fit which meant they had a poor quality of life with a short lifespan. The Bodhidharma might have some knowledge on Indian martial arts and so, the history of karate may go back to South India. 

The South Indian warriors were specialized in armed battle as well as unarmed combat. The rulers from the dynasties like Pallava, Cheras and Cholas were depending on those warriors to rule. The warriors were the father of some Indian martial arts like –Silambam, Varma Kalai etc. It is legend that a prince belonging to the Kshatriya(Warrior) caste from Southern Indian kingdom of Pallava, became a Buddhist monk, and took the given the name Bodhidharma. He was told to spread Zen Buddhism in China. Bodhidhrma gathered the Shaolin monks and began to teach the martial arts that he knew to improve mind through meditation. He also taught the fighting skills for improving physical condition. The Shaolin monks further spread the martial arts to other parts of China.  In China the fighting art evolved into Chinese fighting arts.

Karate Training

Now in India several internationally recognized Karate Do institutes and organizations are there to exercise this ancient martial art. The International Karate Federation India, affiliated with the International Karate Federation was introduced in India in 2005 by Sensei Yogender Chauhan. The supreme body of Karate in India is All India Karate Do Federation that is registered under the Societies Act 1860 and this is the only karate organization which is recognized by Government of India and Indian Olympic Association as well as Asian Karate Federation and World Karate Federation. This federation organizes various seminars, national level tournaments and provides training camps to control and propagate this martial art from the grassroots. 

It is claimed that the Karate Association of India is the only National Federation for Karate Sports in India duly recognized by the World Karate Federation with having 34 State/Province Members all over India along with Army, Police and different Para Military Forces. In order to upspring the young generation in our nation Karate do should be introduced in every level