Did you know that Kalaripayattu, or ‘Kalari’, is considered the mother of all martial arts? 10th Grader Nithya AS, shares her experience learning Kalaripayattu from her Kalari Gurukkal,…
Did you know that Kalaripayattu, or ‘Kalari’, is considered the mother of all martial arts? 10th Grader Nithya AS, shares her experience learning Kalaripayattu from her Kalari Gurukkal,…
Forged in God’s own country, Kerala, Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art that literally means ‘Art Of The Battlefield.' Kerala was a highly martial state once upon a time, where self defense using weaponry was considered an integral part of a child’s education. Kids were sent to Kalari dojos that held the same reverence as temples, as a rite of passage.Here are five things you must know about the ancient art of Kalaripayattu:Birthed Kung Fu And Other Martial ArtsLegend has it that Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist Monk was an ardent practitioner of Kalaripayattu. He was so enamoured by this combat style that he took it with him to China around 6th Century AD. Over there, Kalaripayattu evolved into Shaolin Kung Fu, which, in turn, birthed several other martial arts like Karate and Taekwondo over time. © iStockMeditative CombatThe meditative nature of several martial arts can be traced back to Kalaripayattu. This combat style melds high-octane acrobatics with several yogic movements. Meant to hone the mind as well as the body, Kalaripayattu believes that the inner workings of our minds can often resemble a battlefield, and to gain victory over it one must be disciplined and mindful. © iStockUses WeaponsOwing to Kerala’s martial origins, use of weaponry constitutes a formative part of Kalaripayattu. Practitioners need to first master combat using ordinary wooden sticks, before they are allowed to graduate to more lethal weapons such as spears, daggers, swords and Urumi, a coiled sword that requires a high level of skill to wield it. An important point to be noted is that Kalaripayattu is intended as a form of self defense rather than initiating attack. © iStockInspired By NatureNature is often the best teacher, and Kalaripayattu has held that belief for eons. A testament to it’s holistic nature is how gracefully the movements of several animals are incorporated into this ancient martial art. The acrobatic leaps, rolls and dives are all movements inspired by the habits and fighting techniques of animals such as tigers, elephants, horses, lions, cobras and fighting cocks. © iStockBanned By The BritishWhen India was colonised by the British, the practice of Kalaripayattu was outlawed. They feared a revolution emboldened by this ancient martial art could very well spell doom for their rule. This led to fewer people practicing it within Kerala. However, post independence, Kalaripayattu has been steadily reclaiming its relevance in society. © iStockOne must look at Kalaripayattu as a means to achieve holistic health as it not only nourishes the body, but the mind as well. The benefits of Kalaripayattu can reverberate across different aspects of your life.
Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest fighting systems is a martial art from Kerala, India. It comprises a series of strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods. Kalaripayattu …
Did you know that Kalaripayattu, or ‘Kalari’, is considered the mother of all martial arts? 10th Grader Nithya AS, shares her experience learning Kalaripayattu from her Kalari Gurukkal,…
My day to day log while learning kalaripayattu at CVN Kalari in Kozhikide, Kerala. I found out about Vijayan Gurakkal as he was the one that set up kalari teaching in Isha Yoga Center. And I came down to learn for a few days in Feb, 2018.
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Benefits of Kalaripayattu : Children growing up in Southern India under the Kalaripayattu are dedicated to becoming strong of mind and body.
June 3, 2024
