Traditional bow shooting in South India

longbowarcher · Apr 12th, 2009, 19:39

Hello everybody!

About a year ago I had read an article about traditional bow shooting in south India - if I remember right, it was about a bow shooting place in Calicut.

I´ll probably go to India this Oktober ad I´d be interested to find out about the indian tradition of archery.

Does anybody know about places where I could find people practising traditional archery?

Thanks for any response!
Stefan

PeakXV · Apr 12th, 2009, 19:53

Don't know but it sounds like great fun! THe following article may be of interest or use to you in your quest though - best of luck!

Quote:

Archery continued to be practiced in the Indian palaces up through the end of the nineteenth century. Portraits of Indian kings often show them wearing a thumb ring on their right hand, in an emblematic display of their status as an archer. Hunting was likewise a royal pastime and there are records of public demonstrations and royal competitions like those described in the Mahabharata.

Sadly though, by middle of this century times had changed and today this custom of archery has virtually died. There are, however, some individuals still alive who received the traditional and highly ritualistic training in archery. In January 1995 I had an opportunity to speak with one such person, His Highness Thulajendra Raja P. Bhonsle Chatrapathy, the senior member of the royal line of Maratha kings who once ruled in Tanjavur, in Tamilnadu, India.

The End of an Archery Tradition in South India

longbowarcher · Apr 12th, 2009, 20:14

Thanks for the Link you found.
That is a very interesting article.

Apr 12th, 2009, 19:39	#1
longbowarcher Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: germany Posts: 2	Traditional bow shooting in South India Hello everybody! About a year ago I had read an article about traditional bow shooting in south India - if I remember right, it was about a bow shooting place in Calicut. I´ll probably go to India this Oktober ad I´d be interested to find out about the indian tradition of archery. Does anybody know about places where I could find people practising traditional archery? Thanks for any response! Stefan

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
super bow wow chow	billyshake	Dogs, Cats, and Langurs	64	Oct 18th, 2009 16:13
Traditional Gift Of Thanks	Coolsofa	Chai and Chat	8	Jun 12th, 2008 13:22
Some traditional festival from a far away village	sky888	Humour - It Only Happens in India	1	Dec 26th, 2005 15:57
Shooting Documentary Film in Bombay.	roopgill	Mumbai (Bombay)	2	Jan 27th, 2004 19:46

Apr 12th, 2009, 20:14	#3
longbowarcher Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: germany Posts: 2	Thanks for the Link you found. That is a very interesting article.