Girl learns karate, and teaches too

Girl learns karate, and teaches too

MYSORE: Boys and girls have been stereotyped on many fronts. One of them is martial art karate, which is most often identified with boys. But here is a girl who has been teaching karate for schoolchildren for the past two years.

M P Kshama Bharadwaj started learning karate when she was in VIII Std. She was drawn to the martial art after seeing - on her way to school -- many children practising karate. "When I asked my parents that I will join karate class, they did not discourage me. Instead, they stood by me all the time," says Kshama.

Kshama and her elder brother joined karate school which taught Okinawa Gojuryu Karate Do style under karate master Naveen Kumar. She started learning karate for self-defence. But now, she feels that karate is keeping her physically and mentally fit.
Two years ago, the then 18-year-old started teaching karate for schoolchildren. "I want to pass on what I have learnt to others. I mostly encourage girls to take up karate. But it is disheartening that parents don't encourage their girl child in this." She received Dan Black Belt in karate in 2007, and Black Belt two months ago.

Kshama, after taking final year BBM exam recently, is busy taking class at Teresian High School for Girls for the past one week. She is training around 55 schoolchildren, including 30 girls, in 5-15 age group.

Kshama used to take classes early in the morning and in the evening, after her college hours. "It was difficult as I had to rush from college to the class. It was even more difficult during exams. But I managed with support from family and friends," Kshama said, adding: "It's like a part-time job, but I enjoy it." She is also teaching a student for free, considering the student's economic status.
She has won prizes at many national- and state-level tournaments held at Hassan (2004), Coimbatore (2006), Jharkahand (2008), Thrissur (2009). She has also taken part in dasara tournaments for four years. Kshama has even won prize at Kata Kumite and Thai boxing category at an international-level tournament held in Malaysia in 2009.

"Parents usually don't allow girls to continue karate after X Std. But Kshama is lucky that their parents are still standing by her. She regularly attended classes and tournaments. She has a future in karate," said Naveen, karate master.

"She is lucky that her parents encourage her, unlike mine. Parents should not restrict daughters in joining karate" says Sneha, Okinava Shoriniyo Karate Do Black Belt karate player.