Thanks everyone.
Although as G.McCormack points out these clips are essentially stylised dance forms, it is possible to see how the Tulwar is weilded. The video clips are great! I love the one from the Chakram thread! See the assembled crowd falling back everytime the performers get close with the whirling blades.
The clear difference in weilding these things is the wrist movements. A western Sabre or straight sword is used with a lot of 'up down' wrist movement. Straight 'slashes' or push cuts/lunges/stabs, occasional pull cuts, but certainly rapier or straigh forms are based on keep distance if possible.
The Tulwar handle somewhat restricts movement (I have broad hands so find Tulwars almost impossible to hold tight) Whilst there is still some 'up down' movement, check out just how much side to side movement there is in the stylised forms in the clips.
G.McC Thanks I see what you mean. Combat with these would be awfully close. Lots of pull cuts.
I imagine some 'point work' would be used, but I take it that the vast bulk or moves are based on these wide pull slashes across the opponents body?
Its such a complete contrast to the western forms, the graceful economy of movement (especially with the straight blade) that evolved here is gone, as is the lack of distance, it must have been hellishly bloody!
Bollywood should use some of its ga-zillions of rupees to film a (non musical) hack and slash epic! Give the huge wealth of Inidan martial history a little 'crouching tiger' treatment.
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