More on Kalaripayatu

Kalaripayat literally means 'acquired skill' or art. "Kalari" means school or arena, and "payat" is skill, training, exercise or practice. It is the most comprehensive personal combat training shceme anywhere in the world. The training includes exercises to develop sharp reflexes for unarmed combat and techniques of combat using mace, spears, daggers and sword and shield. There is also a unique Kerala weapon - the lethal flexible sword, called the 'Urumi' which can be concealed as a waist belt.

History

Classical literary works (like Dhanurveda, Agnipuranam, Natyasastra, Hasthangastham and Srakraneeti) say that a legendary warrior named Parasuram was the first Guru (Master). It is believed that he and his warriors taught their secrets to four of the most aristocratic Brahmins. These Brahmins in turn trained others and picked 21 experts from among those trained warriors. These 21 warriors established 21 Kalari's to protect the land and maintain peace.

 Kalari became an integral part of the socio-political system of medieval Kerala. Medieval Principalities and chieftain families maintained a military group of their own. It is believed that Bodhidharma, the Buddhist monk from South India (a prince from Tamil Nadu) introduced Kalari to China and Japan after incorporating changes. There Kalari evolved into modern day Karate and Kung Fu. 

The golden age of Kalaripayat was from the 13th century to the 18th century. In the 19th century, the British Colonialists outlawed the its practice and teaching and it gradually became extinct. 

Today, Kalari is gaining recognition through Chinese Kung Fu movies like 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and others. Indian filmmakers also discovered the genre. Kalari is deeply rooted in the rich heritage of dance and drama of Kerala. Kalari exercises add to the intricate rhythmic moments of dance in various forms thus enhancing the art form. This can well be understood while experiencing the various stages of training.

The Training

Kalari has 3 levels of training:

Verum Kaythari (Unarmed combat) is a postgraduate course in Kalaripayat. Here an unarmed combatant fights with an armed enemy and puts him down through various techniques like Ozhivukal (skipping), lrrakkam (stepping back), Kayattam (stepping forward), Thada (blocking), Pidutham (catching) and marmam (blows and hitting at the vital points) of the body. Thus the entire body becomes a weapon.

Learning requires ritual stretching and flexing exercises to achieve balance and concentration. From the unarmed kicks and punches, Kalaripayat warriors graduate to use sticks, swords, spears and daggers and study the ‘marmas’ (the 107 vital spots on the human body where a blow can kill). 

It is rumoured that in ancient times, Kalaripayattu also included the practice of the powerful choondu marma. Choondu means to point. Psychic powers could be invoked using certain mantras and transfered from the master's index finger to the marma at which he pointed. An enemy could be rendered motionless in this way.

The place of practice and training is called a ‘Kalari’. It has the elements of a school, gymnasium and temple. Kalari also gives a lot of importance on spiritual and emotional development. Religion plays an important role in the training. To train the student's character a series of symbolic rituals are practiced every day.