Ange
or Angan Pora (Human Combat)
"Ange" means "body", "pora" signifies "combat". These were
fighting displays either With or Without Weapons: "Angan saramba"
or haramba Were the various branches of the fighting Sciences
taught at the centres for military training of the Maravalliya" or
Maruve, and Sedaliye'' clans. Each centre Was divided into the "Saramba
or Haramba Salava" dealing with "Aangan haramba" and the Ilangan
Maduva" or" Ilangama" for Training The Musicians And Dancers Who
accompanied each clan in procession or in War. There were also the
Vasala saramba salava" and "Ilangam Maduva" reserved for princes.
The Mahavamsa shows that up to the 6th or 7th centures, Sinhala
heroes and Warriors Were termed "Yodhya" Wich is a corruption of
the Indian team "Yadhajiva".Towards the end of the 16th century it
ahd become restricted to mythical giants and was replaced by the
title "Panik Rala". In Malabar this is derived from Pani=work and
the masters of martial and gymnastic schools were termed "Panikkers".Considerable
interchange of teachers in the wristing and fencing had occurred
between Ceylon and Malabar. In Ceylon these sciences are extinct,
the ancient records pertaining to them bring restricted to a feq
painted cloth, frescoes, sculpture and folk songs.
In Ceylon the term "Panik Rala" was originally Conferred upon
members of these Martial School Who had distinguished themselves
in the glaidatoril arena, but latterly the title became applicable
to anyone of `Outstanding Courage and Prowess in any form of
physical activity Such as noosing of elephents gathering honey of
the rock bee Apis dorsata by being swung over the cliff face and
let down on to the hive by means of forest lianes.
source: from the book of some sinhala combative, field and aquatic
sports and games
by P.E.P.
Deraniyagala
