Breathtaking Photos Of An Old Sri Lankan Martial Art

[Gibbs]

Breathtaking Photos Of An Old Sri Lankan Martial Art

Angampora, an old martial art form created according to legends more than 30,000 years ago in Sri Lanka, combines the use of indigenous weapons, hand-to-hand combat and meditation. The practice nearly disappeared when Britain took over the country in 1815 and banned it. But a few families passed it down through generations and the practice survived until the country became independent more than 100 years later.

The photo series below, made by photographer Reza Akram, shows Angampora fighters with real weapons at an old fortress in Sri Lanka's Uva province. The images have been staged to replicate the style of true Angampora fighting.

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  Demonstrating the fighting style of Illangam (fighting with weapons) using traditional Angampora weapons. © Reza Akram 2013
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  A traditional Angampora seated meditation pose. © Reza Akram 2013
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  Fighters demonstrating Illangam, a fighting style using traditional Angampora weapons. © Reza Akram 2013
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  The fighting style of Illangam (fighting with weapons) using traditional Angampora weapons. © Reza Akram 2013
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  A meditation pose using balance, which is an essential element in Angampora. © Reza Akram 2013
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  Fighters were trained to jump extraordinarily high to attack and defend themselves against enemies on horseback or on elephants. ©Reza Akram 2013

 

[Gibbs]

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  Fighters demonstrate the fighting style of Angam, a form of hand-to-hand combat. © Reza Akram 2013
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  A fighter uses Gataputtu, a series of locks and grips to exact the maximum amount of pain on the enemy. © Reza Akram 2013
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  Fighters demonstrate Illangam, a fighting style using traditional Angampora weapons. © Reza Akram 2013
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  A portrait of Angampora Guru Ajantha Mahantharachchi in his traditional fighting attire. © Reza Akram 2013
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  A portrait of Angampora Guru Ajantha Mahantharachchi as he holds a Kastane, a traditional ceremonial single-edged sword made in Sri Lanka. © Reza Akram 2013
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  Authentic Angampora fighting spears displayed at the Ratnapura National Museum in Sri Lanka. © Reza Akram 2013

 

[Gibbs]

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  Angampora fighters conducting a pre-fighting pooja (act of worship). © Reza Akram 2013
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  Angampora fighters demonstrating Kadu Pali Satan, a traditional fighting style using swords and shields. © Reza Akram 2013
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  Angampora fighters demonstrating Kadu Pali Satan, a traditional fighting style using swords and shields. © Reza Akram 2013
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  Ath Haramba, a choreographed pattern of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. © Reza Akram 2013
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  A traditional Angampora meditation pose. © Reza Akram 2013

Clarification: The headline and language of this article have been adjusted to emphasize that Angampura's age of 30,000 is according to local legend.

 

[Indischer]

Nice pics! The martial art shows lots of similarities to Kalaripayattu on a superficial level. Probably both Angampora and Kalaripayattu learnt a lot from each other.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Nice pics Gibbs.

 

[JonAsad]

How is that Martial Arts?-
All I see is split legs and flying dhotis-

 

[Gibbs]

Nice pics! The martial art shows lots of similarities to Kalaripayattu on a superficial level. Probably both Angampora and Kalaripayattu learnt a lot from each other.

I'm sure it has.. There is so much of Malayali and Lankan cultural aspects that are very similar

 

[TejasMk3]

Reminds me a lot of Kalaripayattu

 

[kobiraaz]

Martial Art was so attractive before this thread..............

 

[Bang Galore]

Spectacular stuff.

 

[abjktu]

I'm sure it has.. There is so much of Malayali and Lankan cultural aspects that are very similar

even in its name..
Angampora-angam(body parts)+por(war/fight) in Malayalam..

 

[W.11]

come on yaar they are atleast trying to improve their image in the world and boost tourism

 

[Gibbs]

even in its name..
Angampora-angam(body parts)+por(war/fight) in Malayalam..

Angampora (Sinhala: අංගම්පොර) is a martial art from Sri Lanka. It combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise andmeditation.[1] Key components in angampora are: angam, which incorporates hand-to-hand fighting, and illangam, which uses indigenous weapons such as the ethunu kaduwa, staves, knives and swords.[2][3] Another component known as maya angam, which uses spells and incantations as a fighting technique is also said to have existed.[4] Its most distinct feature is the use of pressure pointattacks to inflict pain or permanently paralyze the opponent. Fighters usually make use of both striking and grappling techniques, and fight until the opponent is caught in a submission lock that they cannot escape. Usage of weapons is discretionary. Perimeters of fighting are defined in advance, and in some of the cases is a pit.[4][5] Angampora became nearly extinct after the country came under British rule in 1815,In 1817 British government banned the practicing angampora, and burn down all angan madu (Angampora practices hut) and killed or crippled elite Anganpora masters in the country, but survived in a few families until the country regained independence

Angampora - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Martial Art was so attractive before this thread..............

The origins of East Asian martial arts like Kung Fu and Tae Kwon Do are from Southern Asia.. So you're belittling yourself

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

How is that Martial Arts?-
All I see is split legs and flying dhotis-

Since when did you become such a hater bro.. JonAsad used to be a cool dude..

 

[Aepsilons]

INTERESTING !

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  Angampora fighters conducting a pre-fighting pooja (act of worship). © Reza Akram 2013
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  Angampora fighters demonstrating Kadu Pali Satan, a traditional fighting style using swords and shields. © Reza Akram 2013
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  Angampora fighters demonstrating Kadu Pali Satan, a traditional fighting style using swords and shields. © Reza Akram 2013
• 
  
  
  
  Ath Haramba, a choreographed pattern of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. © Reza Akram 2013
• 
  
  
  
  A traditional Angampora meditation pose. © Reza Akram 2013

Clarification: The headline and language of this article have been adjusted to emphasize that Angampura's age of 30,000 is according to local legend.

Very Impressive and Beautiful Form!