Karra Samu in Hyderabad: How Telangana’s traditional stick-fighting martial art is making a comeback
Karra Samu, a traditional stick-fighting martial art from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, is seeing a resurgence in popularity in Hyderabad. The practice is being promoted for its benefits in physical fitness, mental agility, and cultural preservation.
Why it matters
The revival of ancient martial arts highlights a growing interest in traditional cultural practices as a means of holistic health and community building.
I feel a mix of excitement and nervousness as I walk into the municipal grounds in Uppal, Hyderabad, for my first karra samu session. ‘Karra’, meaning stick, and ‘samu’, translating to fight or combat in Telugu, together refer to a traditional martial art form, which dates back over 3,000 years, that is slowly gaining momentum in the city. At the helm are martial artists Swarna Yadav and Khawshiq, co-founders of Swarna Arts Academy, which operates nine branches with 10 trainers across Hyderabad.
The article is an informative piece about a cultural trend and fitness practice, devoid of political bias.
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