Kalaripayattu Martial Arts- An Immortal Art Form of Kerala

Kalaripayattu is a famous martial art, which has become the centre of attraction for people across the globe. This oldest existing art dates back to 2000 years. Considered as the forerunner of Karate & Kung-fu, this is a popular art form of Kerala. The schools where training of this martial art form is imparted by Gurukkals or masters are known as 'Kalaris'.

People believe that Kalaripayattu martial arts originated from the Dhanu Vedic text. These include all fighting arts. Elaborated by the Vishnu Purana, this knowledge is among the eighteen traditional branches of knowledge.

Inside the Kalari, ancient traditions are still practiced with great dedication. The Gurukkal system encompasses scrupulous physical training along with training in self-discipline. The weapons used include the dagger, sword, shield, spears and short sticks. The co-ordination of the body and mind is of utmost importance in this art.

This martial art form is inherent to Kerala and that is why, it has become one of the popular Kerala attractions. Legend says that Parasurama, the warrior saint and inca
ation of Lord Vishnu created it. Once he threw his axe into the sea, which receded till the point where it fell. Then Parasurama formed forty-two kalaris. He taught twenty-one masters of these kalaris to defend the land, he created. The historical forerunner of this martial art form associates inherent Dravidian systems of martial art practices like 'Varma Ati' or ' Marma Adi'. They have the influence of the Aryan Brahmin's culture that migrated southwards down the Indian west coast, Kerala. Kalaripayattu art involves the two distinct traditions- the Northern and the Southern schools.

In the former tradition, the emphasis is laid on growing from body exercise to fight against the weapons and at the end, to the unarmed combat. While in the latter tradition, the sage Agastya was the patron saint of this form of martial art. His strength and meditation powers were incredible. According to the legends, when the Lord Shiva married Parvati who was the highly revered Goddess at Kailasa in the North, all the deities went to mark their presence in the wedding and with this shift in weight the world swayed, so much so that the sage had to visit the South-west to rescue the balance.

The training of the martial art Kalaripayattu Kerala has an enclosure, 'Kalari', which is 21 feet by 42 feet. The entrances usually face the east. Housing the guardian deity of the Kalari, “Poothara”, a seven-tiered platform lies in the South-west corner. These seven steps represent the seven abilities that each person needs.

These include:

• Vigneswa or Strength
• Channiga or Patience
• Vishnu or commanding power
• Vadugashcha or the posture
• Tadaaguru or training
• Kali or the expression
• Vakasta - purushu or sound

Kalaripayattu has also influenced progression of Kerala's theatre and dance forms, especially Kathakali and Theyyam. Today, Kalaripayattu, Kerala is emerging as an art form in traditional and contemporary dance forms, in theatre and in fitness.