Kalarippayattu (കളരിപയററ്) from southern India is probably the oldest still-practiced martial art form in the world. As of now, its mostly practiced in Kerala. It is said that Bodhidharma took this art form to China, which it is claimed to have evolved into Kung Fu and other forms of Chinese martial arts.

Contents

1 Overview 2 Cultural influence 3 Variations 4 Stages 4.1 Meythari 4.2 Kolthari 4.3 Ankathari 4.4 Verumkai 5 Weapons 6 Additional readings 7 External links

Overview

Kalaripayattu is practised inside a Kalari (കളരി), which is an arena akin to a gymnasium or a dojo. The word Ppayattu (പയററ്) means "practice". These words are in Malayalam language, spoken mainly in the Indian state of Kerala. Most words related to Kalari are originally from Tamil_language, including words like "suvadi" (footprint), "vadivu" (stance/pose), "verum kai" (weaponless hand), "mei payattu" (mei=body). This was originally practised by the fighters or warriors of Kerala. In ancient times, arguments between nobles were often decided on the basis of a Kalarippayyattu tournament's outcome. In modern times, Kalarippayyattu is still practiced all around the world due to its popularity in endowing the practitioner with superior physical agility and flexibility. Therefore, it is very popular among dancers who undergo training in this martial art to gain physical flexibility.

Cultural influence

Kalaripayattu also shows a strong influence of Ayurveda and major classical dance forms of Kerala, namely Kathakali. Kalarippayyattu teachers often provide massages with traditional medicinal oils to their students in order to increase their physical flexibility or to treat muscle injuries encountered during practice. Such massages are generally termed "Thirumal" and the unique massage given to increase physical flexibility is known as "Katcha thirumal".

Variations

Kalarippayattu has two main divisions : Vadakkan Kalarippayattu (Northern style) and Thekken Kalarippayattu (Southern style). Northern style involves more elaborate graceful body movements and southern style involves very rapid economical and yet powerful movements.

Stages

Kalarippayattu training differs from most other martial arts training. Bare hand fighting skills are taught in the end. Since it was originally the martial training given to warriors, the martial art teaches the practitioner to become adept in several different forms of weapons. The stages in which this training is imparted is:

Meythari

This is the beginner stage where rigorous body sequences comprising of twists, stances and complex jumps and turns are to be mastered. These exercises are termed as Meyppayattu and they impart excellent neuro muscular co-ordination in the practitioner.

Kolthari

Once the student is physically competent enough, he/she is introduced to fighting with a long wooden weapons. The first weapon taught is usually 5 feet in length or up to the forehead of the student from the ground level. The second weapon taught is a short wooden stick of about two and a half feet or three palm spans. This is called the "Cheruvadi" or "Muchan". The third weapon taught is "Otta" which is a wooden staff curved to resemble the trunk of an elephant. The tip is rounded and is used to strike the vital spots in the opponent's body.

Ankathari

Once the practitioner has gained confidence with all the wooden weapons, he/she is introduced to metal weapons, which require superior concentration due to the lethal nature of such weapons. The first weapon taught is the metal dagger called "Kadhara" which has a curved blade. Once the dagger is mastered, the master weapon of Kalarippayattu ; the sword and shield is taught to deserving students. The sword is called "Val" and the shield is called "Paricha" This is probably the most beautiful sequence to be seen in the demonstration of this martial art.

There are more weapons taught including a wooden spear and the famous flexible sword called "Urumi" which is an extremely dangerous weapon taught to the rarest of students.

Verumkai

After all the weapons have been mastered, the practitioner is taught how to defend his/her person with bare hand techniques. These include strikes to vital points of the body, grapples and arm locks.

A complete Kalarippayattu training is incomplete without learning the medical aspects. The practitioner who has completed martial training is taught how to treat physical injuries with traditional medicines. A person who is well versed with all these aspects and becomes a complete master is called Gurukkal.

Weapons

Kalari uses a number of unique weapons.

1. Long staff or pirambu or neduvati ( means rattan stick)
2. Kurunthadi
3. Knife / dagger
4. Vettukathi ( a form of machete or Kukri)
5. Valum parichayum ( sword and round shield)
6. Churika
7. Chuttuval (flexible sword)
8. Kottukampu or Thavikkana

Additional readings

• Aspects of Kalarippayattu - Phillip B. Zarrilli
• What Kalari Payyattu Means To Me, Spiritually! - V.R.Manoj

External links

• http://wwww.kalariworld.com
• http://www.kalaripayattu.org/
• http://narthaki.com/shaji_kalari/
• http://kalari-koeln.de/
• http://www.ernakulam.com/kalari.htm
• http://www.altaghat.com/kalari/
• http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Kalaripayattu
• http://www.artkerala.com/art_forms/kalaripayattu.asp
• http://www.ayurjeeva.com/Kalari/kalari_payattu.htm