By Jatinder Singh Bedi 

CHICAGO - With Sikhs beginning to exert their identity world-over, Chicago’s Miss Jasvir Kaur has brought to fore religion’s exotic facet—the ‘Gatka’ (Sikh marshal Art) At a recent presentation before the mainstream gathering in the Village of Bartlett in Chicago’s outskirts, Jasvir’s Gatka-team shone like a blue diamond. During the event her team presented intricately executed, at times aggressive, maneuvers of Sikhs’ martial art that Sikh Gurus’ armies had mastered, and successfully used in famous battles against the contemporary Mughal Kings. 

With Chicago being the beehive of Sikhs’ socio-religious activities, teaching Gatka to tiny-tots here carries immense significance. Under the Kid-Culture-Connect, what else could be a better feature. It’s unconventional, it’s unique, it’s difficult, it’s beautiful! And, that’s where bold Jasvir opts to show her mettle. Three Cheers!

Armed with the original weapons of the yester-era, Jasvir’s blue-clad platoon swung into action; furiously challenging, and counter challenging, the opponent. The deafening clangs of the shields stalling that razor-edged shamhirs was an item of awe for the onlookers, especially the Americans. “Was this the might that scared Aurangzeb? Or was it that halted the evil-eyed British advance Punjab-wards?” was their nascent thought. It soon melted into love for Jasvir’s lilliput army. Her fighters comprised little girls and boys. Dressed in tradition frock-like Sikh Army fatigues, the team looked adorable. But their strikes seemed ruthless. Jasvir Led. 

Jasvir Kaur (Standing In the middle) brings Gatka in Chicago

As they swung into action, claps, cheers and kisses flew from across the spectators’ grand-stand. They seemed a well-trained lot. Jasvir, their chief martial, appeared to have trained them well. I have seen her in training sessions many a time during my visit to the Gurudwara Saheb at Palatine. Her swirls of Sword, and swings of sticks defied her feminine persona. Her attire testifies her as a woman of substance. Her disciplined trainees followed her martial dictates. Her class reflected a military order. The teachings seemed drilling down. She stood before the class, a leader - astute, resolute, and focused. 

A cursory glance at the class read volumes. For some it was children’s activity, for others it was clinging to culture. But to dynamic Jasvir it seemed a mission; at least I feel so. Even her co-curricular are directional and extraordinary. Otherwise how could one beautifully craft Chicago’s little Sikhs into awesome Akal Purakh Ki Fauz. “She has some 25 children learning Gatka,” Gurudwara Sunday school’s headmaster told me. They, in fact, have full-fledged assortment of Gatka paraphernalia for children’s training. 

Gatka is not a novelty to we Sikhs. It is very much a part of Sikh psyche. We, in fact, have grown up with Gatka around us. It has always been the star attraction in Sikhs’ Nagar Keertans. Historically speaking, it has been an exotic facet of the Sikh identity ever since Shri Guru Hargobind bore Miri Piri. If that be the case, what’s the talk about? The talk’s about the lady in the lead. Jasvir Kaur. In an environment that echoes the fashionable jargons like ‘Women Lib,’ ‘We Too,’ ‘Beti Bachao,’ Sikh’s Jasvir personifies Sikhs’  ‘Kaur’ empowerment. She carries a persona that defies male chauvinism. Jasvir questions the past, dictates the present, debates the future. She treads an unbeaten path, the path of affirmative action. She will help a friend to sell children’s book. She will lobby to induct a fellow into a speakers’ list to lecture Sikhs contributions. She will organize youth meets and walkathons. She will travel all the way to Shivaliks to seek inspiration from spirituals. And then be present back home to walk the talk. Be it manning visiting Delegation’s front desk or caring feeble seniors or displaying her skills at Gatka, Jasvir leads from the front.

And that’s what was seen at Bartlett. The group comprised some 12 Gatka fighters. They displayed a deadly duel. Their speed was lightening, strikes accurate, and defense remarkable. In action, each meant business. It was an admirable presentation. The audience stood jaw-dropped. Skills only at Soti, Dhaal, and Chakar were displayed. But these are not the only weapons of Gatka. Arsenal’s long list includes: Soti, Talwar, Dhaal, Teer Kamaan, Khanda, Barchha, Chakar, Kataar, etc. Each has a different role, a different effect. But Gatka’s significance is comprehensive. It stamps the Sikh identity as ‘Marshal.’ Its armaments might seem rustic, but its relevance is mod. Sharp-eyed Jasvir seems alive to this fact. No wonder she usurped the citadel that the Sikh menfolk have claimed to be their theatre. 

With Chicago being the beehive of Sikhs’ socio-religious activities, teaching Gatka to tiny-tots here carries immense significance. Under the Kid-Culture-Connect, what else could be a better feature. It’s unconventional, it’s unique, it’s difficult, it’s beautiful! And, that’s where bold Jasvir opts to show her mettle. Three Cheers!