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Traditional Archery
- Culture and Competition
KATHMANDU, NOV 11 - He was competing along with those of his grandson’s age, but for 68-year-old Nanda Prasad Chhantayal, it was more culture than competition. The old man with all white hairs was probably passing one of the moments of greatest happiness of his life."I learned to play while I was 15," Chhantayal said after his turn in the first-ever National Archery Competition held in Pokhara last week. "I still hope to play for five more years." Chhantayal’s grandsons have already learnt to play the traditional game.
For the residents of 13 villages of Thak Khola, trying to hit bull’s eye with the arrows is a sacred culture. Gauchans, Bhattachans, Tulachans and Sherchans, also collectively known as Thakalis, of those villages gather at Thang River for the event that is followed after three days of religious offerings to the dead ones.
The festival, known as Toranna La, falls in Fagu Purnima, during mid-February. Now, archery has expanded, not only Thakalis and other ethnic communities but everyone plays it anytime they like. "A few ethnic communities are taking it as culture, but it hasn’t restrained to them," said Jyoti Bhattachan, a history professor.
Prof. Bhattachan believes archery is related to human as culture and religion because of its long history. Bow and arrow was the main weapon during ancient age.
Archery was introduced to Pokhara, a beautiful western city, five decades ago after the formation of Thakali Society. They used to play it in Bhupi Sherchan’s palace, but now the society has constructed an outdoor archery stadium at Nadipur.
The National Archery Competition last week drew interest from everyone. Grandfathers played with their grandsons, while high-ranking government officials and journalists too competed. "There is no age bar for archery," said organising committee’s Ajit Shreshta. "Anyone with courage and skill can try their luck."
Everyone present wished the national competition would continue. "We hope to organise it annually but we lack sponsors," said Balman Tulachan. After the competition and National Sports Council’s interest in National Archery Association, the Thakalis have experienced the increased height of their culture.
Former Additional Inspector General of Police Ram Kaji Bantawa expressed his interest in modernisation after competing. "We need to improve our traditional archery as modern archery," Bantawa said adding that the rules of traditional archery differs from modern version.
"We need to preserve culture and modernise it as well," said Prof. Bhattachan.Posted on: 2003-11-11 12:02
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