The Dharavi fly-over

When Sandhyarani Devi bagged a silver in Wushu -- India's lone medal on November 18, 2010, at the Guangzhou Asiad -- it wasn't just about an Indian excelling in a sport of Chinese origin on Chinese soil. It directed the spotlight on a growing interest for the martial art in Thane's school halls and Dharavi's gullies

9.30 am on a Monday morning, Buddha Samaj Unnati Mandal Hall, Thane. Chief Instructor Anand Pendurkar's voice booms across a school auditorium during a warm-up session. He is facing a motley bunch of college-going teenagers from the middle-class neighbouhood. "We have to coax parents by saying this martial art is just like karate," he says.
u00a0

Ravindra Keny and his students at an evening practice session in Dharavi.
PIC/NIMESH DAVE

Pendurkar is referring to Wushu, the hottest martial art this fortnight after 27 year-old Manipuri Sandhyarani Devi won a silver at the Guangzhou Asiad.

Secretary of Hari Om Martial Arts Academy India and 4th Degree Black Belt Karate and Founder-President of the Thane District Wushu Association, Pendurkar is amused by the new-found interest in an art he's been teaching for five years. "I've watched all of Bruce Lee's films. I wanted to make martial arts my passion since I was eight," he smiles.

And his grounded enthusiasm has rubbed off on his students. Now 30, Pendurkar and his team have trained over 200 students across Greater Mumbai and its suburbs. "With these two Asiad medals, the interest will only increase. We are proud that India is picking up."

Giving a kick to TV stars
Raju Das's story could make it into Mumbai's urban legend chapter. Originally from Kolkata, Das started off with Karate in 2000 but soon realised Wushu was far more interesting. By 2005, he launched his own martial arts classes, even while honing his skills as a fight choreographer, flashing quick fire moves for television shows and ads. "I worked on Prithviraj Chauhan, Balika Vadhu and Arslaan. Wushu is such a great art; it must be shared with public," says Das, whose students include college students, television actors and businessmen.


Raju Das (right) on the sets of TV serial Arslaan

In 2007, he set up the Mumbai Wushu Kung Fu Association with the savings he had, conducting classes at Mahalaxmi and Kandivali. So far, he has taught 45 students, and offers personalised training sessions between Churchgate and Kandivali. A self-confessed fan of martial arts superstar, Jet Li, Das says, "Li was a seven-time gold medallist in Wushu. His movements are breathtaking, and his movies, inspirational."

The ghetto superstars
Swarthy, mustachioed men trade glances as one among them dodges precarious electric poles and maze-like pathways. The morning sunlight barely touches the ground but for 43 year-old Ravindra Keny, it's just another Sunday at the Wushu Weapon Training Session in Dharavi. Superintendent with the Central Excise Department, he has taken social change at the slum to another level. "I've trained over 76 Black Belt Karatekas in Wushu Weapon Training since 1994. Most of my students hail from the slums," says the Kathmandu-trained Wushu expert.

A 6th Dan Black Belt from the US who learnt marital arts from the late George Anderson, he trains in Broad Sword, Long Sword and Cudgel (stick) training -- intrinsic to Wushu's Event category.

His sessions (mostly free) have kept Dharavi's adolescents away from alcohol, drugs and anti-social activities. Besides, excelling in Wushu earns SSC and HSC students a 25-mark bonus, he winks. "My students have bagged jobs on ONGC rigs and multinational companies. Others have started classes of their own. I could have shared my skills in a well-off locality. But these kids need it more."

The Shaolin master's show
Back in Thane, watching Pendurkar is enough to break into a sweat. Girls and boys are on an even plane -- strapped with head, chest, teeth guards and boxing gloves, students engage in a Sanshou duel.

Dinesh Mali, National Champion in the 52 kg (Sanshou) category decides to drop in. With his oriental looks, the 22 year-old could pass off as a Shaolin master from a Bruce Lee flick. While the students take a breather after their 45-minute session, Mali exhibits a Nanquan display (Wushu's Event based category). It's a nimble-footed champ's disciplined, gravity-defining show.u00a0 The Secretary of the All Mumbai Suburban Wushu Association runs DP'S Fight to Fit Academy which has trained 483 students in the Kandivali-Borivali belt since 2004.

Why Wushu?
Fans say Wushu an attractive sport, characterised by speedy movement and the use of weapons. "It's included as an Olympic and Asian Games discipline. People are now seeing the benefits because it has a competitive edge that Karate doesn't," says Pendurkar.

Since it demands flexibility, it's best to start young. And since it incorporates principles of Tai Chi (Chinese yoga), it's a great confidence-building technique and ups concentration. "Wushu ego ko khatam karta hai (Wushu helps you kill the ego)," says Raju whose sessions focus on discipline, and staying cool in a situation.
Unlike Karate or Judo, Wushu doesn't have a belt system, which the instructors believe is a great way to ensure students stay grounded despite their achievements; certificates are awarded at every level.

Manipur shows the way
That both of India's Wushu medal winners hailed from Manipur wasn't a coincidence. This tiny Northeastern state is one of Sports Authority of India's (SAI) biggest success stories. "The State Government there is genuinely interested; they have a stadium with world-class facilities and equipment for Wushu at the SAI centre. Its proximity to China and Nepal helps, with a constant inflow of information and experts including Shaolin masters," says Pendurkar.

The build of Northeaterners (Wushu is ideal for short-statured, agile individuals) is another factor in their favour. Keny says Manipur has a sporting cultureu00a0 that includes Taekwondo, boxing and other indigenous sports, unlike the rest of India where cricket is king.

Time for the sequel, perhaps? Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger.

Shining for India at Guangzhou
Sandhyarani Devi Wangkhem, 27, Manipur
This former boxing champ, who dodged knocks from MC Marykom in the early 2000s, switched allegiance to the Chinese martial art since it was more all-round. Sandhyarani shot into Indians on November 18, when she won the nation's lone medal of the day. She had to concede defeat and be content with silver, when she lost to defending champion Khadijeh Azadpour of Iran in the final of the women's Sanshou 60kg class.


Sandhyarani Devi Wangkhem (in red) takes on Paloy Barckkham of
Laos during the women's Sanshou 60kg Wushu at Nansha Gymnasium
during day four of the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on
November 16, 2010

The CRPF employee from Manipur recently won a bronze at the 2008 Asian Championships in Macau.

Sandhyarani, despite picking up a leg injury from her semi-final win against Laos' Paloy Barckkam, fought bravely to stave off the larger-built Iranian's onslaught. She had to move up the weight class for the Games, from 56 kg to 60 kg, as there was no competition in her original weight category.

Bimoljit Singh Mayanglambam, 27, Manipur
Bimoljit Singh opened India's account in this discipline at the 2006 Doha Asiad and continued with his fine run on the international arena, when he took bronze in the Sanshou 60kg event. He lost his semifinal bout to Mohsen Mohammad Seifi of Iran. The 27 year-old Indian from Kakching Khullel, a hamlet in Manipur's Thoubal district, took up the sport to counter boys from his village who picked on his stammer. Today, he is the star of his village for bagging his second Asian Games medal.

The Wushupedia
>>Wushu means Art of Wu (Wu = war, Shu = art); Wushu is sometimes referred to as the collective name for popular Chinese martial arts including Tai Chi, Jiali, Shobo, Xiangpu and Jijian.
>>Its origins date to prehistoric times, when man slapped stones as tools and weapons, and had to use his mind and skills to survive. In the process, he learnt to respect and protect himself against the elements.
>>Between 3-6 AD, Wushu came under the influence of Buddhism and Taoism, redefining its position from a warrior art into a deeply meditative form.
>>In 1928, the Chinese government set up the Central Wushu Institute in Nanjin. It became a part of school and college curriculum.
>>Wushu came to India in 1989 when the Wushu Association of India (WAI) was formed.

The Handbook
Your guide to Asian martial arts

Karateu00a0(means empty hand)

Origin: Japan
Fundamentals: Tsuki (punching), uchi (striking), keri (kicking), and uke (blocking). No combat is allowed on the face.
International arena: Asian Games, debuted at the 1994 Hiroshima Asiad

Judo (means gentle way)

Origin: Japan
Fundamentals: Throws, falls, hold downs, chokes and joint locks. Judo doesn't allow striking the opponent.
International arena: Olympics, debuted at the 1964 Tokyo Olympiad

Kickboxing

Origin: Thailand (Muay Thai); other styles have evolved in the US, Japan and parts of South East Asia
Fundamentals: Martial-arts-style kicks and boxing-style punches. Kickboxing is a standing sport and does not allow continuation of the fight once a combatant has reached the ground.
International arena: Neither an Olympic or an Asian Games sport

Kalaripayattu (means school of gymnasium to work in)

Origin: Kerala, India
Fundamentals: Kalaripayattu includes animal movements and techniques, and involves use of wooden weapons, strikes, kicks, grappling, choreographed martial arts sequences and weaponry.
International arena: Neither an Olympic or an Asian Games sport

Quick Directory

Where tou00a0 learn Wushu in Mumbai

Hari Om Martial Arts Academy
Thane (W).
Call: 9892449074 / 9969055639
Also at: Thane (4 centres), Kalyan, Kalwa, Bhandup, Dombivali Thakurli, Bhiwandi
Fees: Rs 200 (per month)

DP's Fight To Fit Academy
Lokhandwala Complex, Kandivali (E).
Call: 9833725115 / 9773448313
Fees: Rs 100 to Rs 250 (per month, in slum areas); Rs 250 to Rs 750 (clubs or private batches)

All Mumbai Wushu Kung Fu Association
Thakur Village, Kandivali (E).
Call: 9820658835 / 9820644991
Fees: Rs 2,200 per batch; (personalised training rates differ)

United Marital Arts Academy
Dharavi Koliwada, Sion (W).
Call: 9323021166
Fees: Rs 100 per batch; free sessions for economically backward school children

What shall I serve you? Taoluu00a0oru00a0Sanshou?

Dinesh Mali, National Wushu Champion in the 52 kg displays a move
from the Nanquan routine. Pic/Datta Kumbhar

Wushu Taolu

Here, disciplines include fighting movements between two people for attack-defense and exercises.
Besides these, there are other types of fighting movements including the tuishou, duanbing and changbing. Taolu, which is event-based uses different forms in its routine, including stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps and throws.

Wushu Sanshou

This involves a set of connecting stylised movements choreographed according to certain laws, embodying the philosophical connotation of attack and defense. It's a full combat category. India won both its Asiad medals in Sanshou. Chinese boxing, Chinese wrestling and grappling methods also influence it. It often appears similar to Kickboxing and Muay Thai (Thai-style kickboxing)
Sources: International Wushu Federation & Anand Pendurkar