Sonali Kadu began learning the ancient armed martial art of Mardani Khel almost a decade ago.
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00:00This game has been played since the 16th century.
00:07This game used to be a martial art.
00:10It was used during the war.
00:14After the war, it was stopped.
00:16It was replaced by a game.
00:18This game is our ancestor's.
00:21It is our heritage.
00:23People have forgotten it.
00:25We feel bad telling them that it is our own game.
00:29It is our cultural heritage.
00:31We should remember it.
00:32My name is Sonali Kadu.
00:34I am a teacher in this game.
00:47You have seen the men's game.
00:49It is played in very few places.
00:51It takes a lot of time to learn this game.
00:55It takes a lot of time.
00:57People get tired of learning this game.
01:00It has no gender.
01:02It has no age limit.
01:04Anyone can play this game.
01:08I have taught more than 500,000 students.
01:13Currently, there are about 425,000 students in our school.
01:17When we teach the students,
01:21we start with a stick.
01:24After that, we teach them one by one.
01:26Once they are used to the stick,
01:28they learn how to use it.
01:30They learn how to use the stick.
01:36When we practice,
01:38we give them positive and negative points.
01:41We tell them that they will not get hurt
01:43if they play this game.
01:45We tell them that they will get hurt
01:47if they play this game.
01:49We tell them that they will not get hurt.
01:52We tell them that they will get hurt.
01:56Why do I play this game?
01:58It is for my own safety.
02:00When I first came here,
02:02I used to come here and sit quietly.
02:05I used to practice when I had to.
02:08Now that I am here,
02:10I have become very confident.
02:16I am not afraid of anything.
02:19It is because I have played this game.
02:23We don't like to teach others.
02:26We tell the kids to play in their own language.
02:29We tell the adults to play in their own language.
02:31I like that.
02:34I feel that we should all play this game.
02:37That is why I started to play this game.
02:40I will play this game until I grow up.
02:44I will continue to play this game.
02:47I will play this game until I grow up.
02:50I want to continue to play this game.
02:58We don't just play this game.
03:01We play it everywhere.
03:05We always wear traditional costumes.
03:09We follow their traditions.
03:14When we go to Navari,
03:17we change instantly.
03:20We don't talk casually.
03:23We talk in a different way.
03:26We change immediately.
03:29When we go to Navari.
03:35Our audience is mostly outside.
03:38They are outside the city.
03:41They are out of the city or out of the district.
03:45Our goal is to reach as many people as possible.
03:50This is our traditional game.
03:53My favorite part of this game is that
03:56I love to hit the ball.
03:58It is a fast ball.
04:00It goes 360 degrees.
04:02When new people come to learn this game,
04:05they are always welcomed.
04:08They have to be mentally prepared.
04:11They have to learn it.
04:14They have to work hard.
04:17You don't get anything easily.
04:19You have to work hard.
04:21You will get good results.
04:25Many people see this game as physical fitness.
04:29They see it as stress relief.
04:32But when we play, we forget everything.
04:35We forget our daily routine.
04:38We forget everything.
04:40I was like this 9 years ago.
04:42I am not like this now.
04:44Learning this game,
04:46I have developed my stamina,
04:48concentration,
04:50and communication skills.
04:53I used to be calm.
04:55I used to be scared.
04:58Now I interact with everyone.
05:02You can use this game
05:05only if something happens to you.
05:08You can use it in different ways.
05:11You don't learn anything new.
05:14Learn any art.
05:17So that you don't feel insecure.
05:23Many people say that
05:25girls shouldn't go out after 7pm.
05:27They should come home at 10pm.
05:30I can't do this.
05:32I can't go out with 4 people.
05:34I can do it.
05:36I will do it.
05:38They should be mentally fit.
05:40They shouldn't be scared.
05:42They can do it.
05:44They have a presence of mind.
05:46They have a willpower.
05:48That's a lot.