Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), also referred to as Eskrima, Kali, and Arnis, play a significant role in the cultural heritage of the Philippines. These martial arts have a long and captivating history that stretches across centuries. Understanding their evolution and development is essential for appreciating the diverse Filipino culture and their influence on martial arts worldwide.

Filipino martial art recognized globally as Eskrima, Kali, Garrote, and by various indigenous names such as Pananandata (Tagalog), Pagkalikali (Ibanag), Kalirongan (Pangasinan), Kaliradman (Bisaya), Didya (Ilokano), among others. This combat technique is believed to have been employed by Lapu Lapu during his defeat of Magellan in the renowned Battle of Mactan. Historians noted that the locals utilized bladed weapons and a serious and sophisticated weapon fighting system existed in the pre-colonial era. In 1564, 43 years after Magellan first arrived in the Philippines, Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and his 380-strong army were astonished to witness the natives showcasing their traditional fighting techniques. In Abuyog, Leyte, in mid-February 1564, they were greeted with a feast by the local chieftain Malitik, which included demonstrations of the native martial art. This serves as evidence that we possess an indigenous martial art.

After 15 years of research, trial and error, making every possible effort he could as an eskrimador, earning his way through his hard work, undying passion and a “come what it may” mindset, Guro Riddhi Dutta formed his system of FMA “KALIS BAGANI – Filipino Fighting Tactics and Strategies” in his own words “Kalis (Blade) Bagani (warrior) is my perspective and personal expression Of the FMA systems I have studied from my teachers and the one’s that I observed and came across in my journey (sparring - workshops -seminars), it is an ever-evolving and developmental process, which is a result of my 15+ years of research and studies on the intricacies and nuances of these highly sophisticated and battle-proven Indigenous fighting arts of the Philippines and a tribute to their warrior culture and Un-sung hero’s of FMA”. “Kalis Bagani” system does not only dwell in the varied and elaborated physical aspects of FMA training, but ensures a complete emersion program into the rich culture, history, language and the Filipino way of doing things.

Guro Riddhi Dutta assembled this system after he travelled, sweated, and bled in every square inch of the Philippines proving that hard work and determination can literally take you to places. He travelled to, learn and experience Filipino martial arts (FMA) in Philippines Multiple times between (2014-2024), his tours to Philippines began when he started to assist security courses for Philippines National Police, SWAT-Units, Bodyguards etc. with his then teacher Master Mannie (Aus), mostly teaching VIP Protection and defensive tactics programs across Philippines and taking time out of his professional engagements he continued his training in FMA, and latter started travelling exclusively and dedicatedly to train under the personal tutelage of the Grandmasters and the original sources to many of the highly esteemed FMA system of the country and personally hosting FMA masters from different countries at his school in India studying privately under them. Being exposed to a wide variety of systems, cultures, pedagogy, methodologies and concepts in Filipino martial arts, it was the bladed aspects/arts (swords/daggers/knives) that attracted him the most and having a background in professional security, blade/edge weapons and threats from them was a subject of concern for him on his professional front as well. Studying various such Bladed Fighting systems like Ilustrisimo/ Kuntao/ Silat of Southeast Asian origins (Indo-Php) helped him in doing better threat assessments and developing smarter sharper and more accurate counter measures against weapon (edge/impact) wielding attackers, he could help many more bodyguards and front-line professionals by ledge-weapon countermeasure tactics and strategies in their skills-set allowing them to protect their principal and themselves better. Guro Riddhi, during these formational and pivotal years in his martial arts journey, where he was living, eating and breathing FMA, documented his training and progress which led to the formation of what we know today as “Kalis Bagani”.

Kalis Bagani – is primarily a Bladed Fighting system where the primary focus is on range-timing-interception based war-proven methods of Sword and Knife/Dagger (edge weapon) fighting, but it also offers a very effective, rich, in-depth and a well-rounded curriculum on Striking/ Mixed Weapon Boxing (Dirty Boxing/ Panuntukan/ Suntok-kan), Grappling (Dumog – The Dirty Art With Dirty Tricks) and other methods of combat, the word “Kalis” means (sword/ edge weapon/ cutting tool) which is used to slash/ cut or “Kali” scrape, in old Filipino terminology. The swordsmanship/ fencing aspect of “Kalis Bagani” is deeply rooted in the teachings of “Tatang Antonio Ilustrisimo”(most dreaded blade master of Philippines) a swordsman/ eskrimador from the Bantayan, Islands. Guro Riddhi was deeply moved by the use of direct, fluent and efficient movements of blade taught in the “Ilustrisimo System” which he studied directly under “Tatang Ilustrsismo’s” direct disciples/ successors and their students. While, the Swordsmanship i.e. (single and Double swords/kalis) and (swords and dagger/ espada y daga/ punta y daga) is inspired from the teachings of Ilustrisimo, and Kuntao arts and the Silat from the southern Philippines.

The Kalis Bagani Curriculum is a very organised, defined and progressive, and the weapon, tactics and methods are codified according to ranges (Largo - Medio - Corto) , environment, nature of attack (Lethal – Less Lethal – Non Lethal) and number of assailants (Single – Multiple) and your preferred method of retaliation(Upfront – Covert). The system, though, is one complete fighting methodology and philosophy where all it’s components and sub-systems are connected providing a holistic (Physical – Mental – Spiritual) approach on combat to its practitioners, each of the sub-systems with-in the art can be trained as stand-alone systems and can benefit the practitioners by equipping them with the essential combative skills-set in that particular Sub-system/ subject, the curriculum offered by “Kalis Bagani – Filipino Fighting Tactics and Strategies are as follows :

while training with us, you will be taken though a step by step, defined and progressive training curriculum, which will help you to achieve your desired essential combat skills sets and to be one with the warrior spirit of this fighting system. The skills offered in our program can also be added to you pre-existing skills-sets of combat (if any) and helps you to be a step close to a more holistic approach towards combat in general