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Martial Art of Kerala - KALARI

by: Avocados | last updated: February 23, 2009
Category: People & Culture, Sports | Tags: martial art, kalaripayattu, kerala, combat art, yoga, Ayurveda
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Martial Art of Kerala - KALARI

'Kalari' or 'Kalaripayyat' is the exclusive martial arts legacy of Kerala. An old combat martial art originating in Southern India, Kalari is used as a defensive system. It's believed that Kalaripayyat may have been the inspiration for the many Asian martial arts we know today.

Kalaripayattu is indigenous to the South Indian state of Kerala and derives its name from the Malayalam word ‘Kalari’ which literally means ‘battlefield’. In respect to this martial art, Kalari refers to the arena where training goes on and demonstrations are performed.

Originally, the Kalari was a place of learning for subjects such as ayurvedic medicine, yoga, philosophy, astrology, architecture and geometry in addition to combat arts. Physical well being is a fundamental element to this martial art with massage techniques and medical treatments being part of the over-all system.

What is Kalari payyat


Place of Kalari practice
The villages of medieval Kerala had a kalari, a temple, and a public tank for bathing, - a rare combination of religion, hygiene, public health and defence. Although the Kalari system was an offshoot from the Hindu way of life, it was shared by all people, irrespective of caste and religion, as a common legacy.

Ankathattu
'Ankathattu' is a four to six feet high platform constructed temporarily for the purpose of fighting duels. 'Ankam' means war in the Malayalam language. This platform is constructed as per tradition and is in the center of the ground from where people can watch the fight. This place altogether is called AnkaKalari.

Poothara
Every Kalari has a Poothara (meaning "platform where flowers are kept" in the Malayalam language). It's a seven-tier platform placed in the south-west corner of every Kalari, housing the guardian deity of the Kalari. The seven tiers symbolise the seven abilities that each person must possess - Vignesva (strength), Channiga (patience), Vishnu (power to command), Vadugashcha (the posture), Tadaguru (training), Kali (the expression) and Vakasta - purushu (sound).

Gurrukal - The Teacher
Each Kalari is run by a ‘gurukkal’ (teacher) who teaches the students the esoteric physical and spiritual disciplines needed to master Kalaripayattu. A Kalari teacher was very much respected by the society. He was given the title 'Panikkar' derived from the term 'Parinayaka'. According to Buddhist literature, he is a teacher of weaponary or Ayudha Vidya Guru.

The Styles of Kalari

The styles of Kalari are based on the region of training like North Kerala, Central Kerala and Southern Kerala.

Vadakkan (Northern) Style:
This style is characterized with the typical leaping and jumping movements which is unique to the system. The training starts at an early age- as early as 5 yrs. The place of Kalari has very strict dimensions.

Another unique practice of the Vadakkan style is the applying of oil on the practitioner's body before training. Herbal oils are applied and Chavutti Thirummal or foot massage is performed before undertaking training. This helps in developing flexibility and preventing injury.

After the Meyppayttu (solo forms) the student progresses to Kettukari (long staff), Muchchan (short stick), Katara (dagger), Valum parichayum (sword and shield) and Urumi (flexible sword) and then to the Ottakkol (curved stick).

Though in the ancient days the place was ruled and controlled by local chieftains, they had only a minimal role as far as law enforcement was concerned. Disputes between persons or the chieftains were settled by duels in a specially constructed arena in the town square called ankathattu. This led to the development of the skills needed for one on one fighting with sword and shield and other weapons like Churika and Urumi made of metal. Each family of the warriors were said to have developed secret fighting formula.

Thekkan (Southern) Style:
The stances are comparatively higher than in the Northern or Vadakkan style and relatively less emphasis is placed on the weapons like sword and shield and Churika (double edged sword dagger about one cubit in length).

More emphasis is placed on the empty hand techniques and knife, long staff and short stick plus the extremely effective and lethal weapon called Kottukampu. This could be due the presence of a well-established law enforcing system present in the southern part of Kerala right from ancient days. Use of weapons like swords by civilians was a crime whether in self-defense or otherwise and the ancient masters cunningly developed very effective empty hand sets.

Then the science of striking the vital points or Marma developed as a great system of medical tradition and as a sinister art of killing a person without any visible mark of violence, this completely changed the nature of the southern style Kalarippayattu.

Central Style:
The central style (practiced mainly in Trissur, Malappuram, Palghat and certain parts of Ernakulam districts is 'a composite' from both the northern and southern styles that includes northern meippayattu preliminary exercises, southern emphasis on empty-hand techniques, and its own distinctive techniques, which are performed within floor drawings known as kalam.

Kalari Training Centres

1. Kerala Kalarippayattu Academy
The Kerala Kalarippayattu Academy was founded in 1976 in Cannannore by a dedicated group of individuals concerned with the future of Indian martial arts, especially Kalarippayattu of kerala and adi murai of Trivandrum and kanyakumari Districts. The Academy aims to become an international center of learning and exchange of techniques,knowledge, ideas,and research on the martial and related healing and meditation arts.
Address
Kerala Kalaripayattu Academy
Pillayar Kovil Road,
Kannur, Kerala,
India, 670001
PH: + 91- 497- 2768 178,+ 91- 497- 2702 369

2. Sudarsana Kalari Sanghom
Sudarsana Kalari Sanghom has full term 2 year courses as well as short term courses. 'Kalari Kaipporu' is an offshoot of Thekkan Kalarippayattu developed by Sudarsana Kalari Sanghom. This system is developed mainly for learning survival in a fight against one or several opponents, armed or unarmed. The main difference between the classic Thekkan Kalari and Kalari Kaipporu is that while the classic system takes a few years to learn, the later takes much shorter time- often as short as six months.
Address
Sudarsana Kalari Sanghom,
Dharbha Vila,
Mundayil, Varkala (P.O),
Kerala, INDIA - 695141

Office
VMC-22-157,
Trivandrum,
Kerala, INDIA - 695141
email@ - courses@kathinayoga.com

2. Kalari Kovilakom
Kalari Kovilakom is the Palace for Ayurveda, perhaps the first and only one of its kind. The palace (or 'kovilakom') that Dhatri built came to be known as 'Kalari', because it was built on a site that contained a ritual space for 'Kalari Payattu'.
Address
Kalari Kovilakom
Kollengode, Palakkad
Kerala 678506 INDIA
Ph: +91 4923 263737
Fax: +91 4923 263929
email: kalarikovilakom@cghearth.com

Video of Kalari

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Guide Comments

anonymous said about 1 year ago:

excellent documentation but video is not there, thank you

kumar said about 1 year ago:

I would like to Know more about this martial arts

SAMDARSH said about 1 year ago:

I LIKE THIS ANCIENT ART VERY MUCH AND I WANT TO BE A PROFESSINAL IN IT

AJAY M S said about 1 year ago:

i am a bangalorien i want learn kalari in kerala what is the fees and is there any accomdation during training period tell me the tootal fees

Sports Doctor Melbourne said about 1 year ago:

were settled by duels in a specially constructed arena in the town square called ankathattu. This led to the development of the skills needed for one on one fighting with sword and shield Sports Doctor Melbourne.http://www.midtownmedical.com.au

Karina Oberhofer said about 1 year ago:

i would like to learn kalari, for self-defence as well, to have a flexible body as well, body-controll, for strong mind... etc.... please send me some informations about the courses you are offering. thank you greetings karina

kuwar said about 1 year ago:

It is glorious indian Techinques. it has to survive. i paid great respect to those people who are in great work to alive those techniwues. There is need of any book to teach to this techniques all indians and world.

chinthu said 9 months ago:

Iwould like to learn kalari, for self-defence .please send me some informations about the kalari courses

Ameet M.Shirodkar said 9 months ago:

I want to learn marma kala, but want to know the institude or classes in Mumbai, where this martial art is being taught.

Sunil Subramanian said 8 months ago:

Hi My Name is Sunil, from Mumbai. I am working for Event Management Company. I want to use the Kalari Artist for a Event. Can you please let me know is it possible for the kalari arist to be available in mumbai or do you have any branches in mumbai. thanks & regards

ganesh said 8 months ago:

please tell me what's the cost to learn total kalari? what' the duration?

Rajesh Vidap said 8 months ago:

Namaste, Kalari payatt is really anceint and one of the oldest format of defense. I have seen a programm on Discovery before few months. I become fan of thar and interested to learn kalari

JAYANTA DAS said 7 months ago:

Martial dance of Monipur is a unique one and it is a very attractive stunning dance form. A details article on this dance form with some photographs and video would be worthy one.

madhav said 7 months ago:

kerala is land of rich culture and traditional value, out of which kalari payyatu is one. let kalari payyatu stand still and prove it is nowhere inferior from other forms of self defence.

nareen said 7 months ago:

im naren,im very much intrested in learning kalari i like to learn the ancient art of defending.can u suggest me institute,duration and fee charged.

Rajeev Banerji said 6 months ago:

My son is in right age for starting,so i propose to teach him due to his special present talant.so kindly please send me the details regarding centres,fees and how to join,how many years of coaching.

ajay m s said 6 months ago:

i am learning odkkan style of kalari i want excel in that now presently i am in bangalore which is the best place to learn

Imam Hussain K. said 6 months ago:

Hi, I am Imam Hussain from Bangaglore, age 24, I would like to learn kalari, for self-defence as well, to have a flexible body as well, body-controll, for strong mind and I want to learn marma kala, please send me some informations about the courses you are offering. kindly please send me the details regarding centres,fees and how to join,how many years of coaching. Regards, Imam Hussain K. Email : imamgorgeous@gmail.com : imamhussain_2k6@rediffmail.com

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