What is Kalari Payattu?

Kalari Payattu
Kalari is the Malayalam (language spoken in Kerala) word, for a special kind of gymnasium, where the martial art known as Kalari Payattu, is practiced. It had its origins in the 4th century A. D. Legends claim, that the art began with the sage Parasurama, who possessed mystical powers. He built temples and also introduced martial arts, which have influenced and shaped many other arts. The art reached its zenith in the 16th century, in the days of Thacholi Othenan - a celebrated chieftain of north Malabar.
A Kalari Payattu demonstration includes physical exercises and mock duels - armed and unarmed combat. It is not accompanied by any music or drumming, but is a silent combat, where style matters the most. Kalari Payattu is practiced by women also. Unniyarcha was a legendary heroine, who won many battles with distinction. Today, Kalari Payattu is a method of physical fitness, and an empty-handed means of self-defence. Yet, it is tied to traditional ceremonies and rituals.
Kalari Payattu consists of various techniques and stages. Among them are:.

Uzhichil
Uzhichil, or the massage with the Gingli oil, is used for imparting suppleness to the body, but only persons with a thorough knowledge of the nervous system, and the human body, conduct the 'uzhichil'.

MaipayattuBody exercises or Maippayattu includes the twists and turns of the body, leaps and jumps, and poses, designed to gain control over various parts of the human body.

Sticks of KolthariThis is the next stage where training in handling various staves of wood or canes of different lengths are imparted. The long stick is kettukari and the short one, kuruvadi.

Otta - a Weapon for the 'coup de grace'
The otta is an 'S' shaped staff, with a knob at one end, made of the toughest portions of the tamarind tree.These sticks, which are about 2 feet long, are specially suitable for attacks on the nervous system.
Metal weapons or Anga Thari
Weapons of various metals are used in training and combat sessions, like the sword, sword and shield, two types of knives, daggers, the spear and the 'urumi'. Various exercises are performed with these weapons.

Puliyankam (Sword Fight)
Wielding the sword in an efficient manner, is considered to be the peak of perfection in Kalari Payattu. Various methods in the use of the sword, as a weapon of offence and defence, are being practiced today, but the most awe-iunder his opponent's guard, he can easily triumph over his opponent.Inspiring of these, is the Puliyankam, where the combatants fight like tigers, propelled by powerful fuels - extraordinary elan and agility.

The Spear Vs the Sword
In this combat, one contestant is armed with a sword and shield, and the other with a spear. Due to the length of the spear, the swordsman faces a disadvantage, but if he knows how to exploit all the weak points of the spear-man, and take advantage of all the opportunities, that come his way to get Barehanded Fight or Verumkai
In unguarded moments, there are some special ways of getting out of a tight situation, by using one's hands or a piece of cloth or a rope. Locks and blows are in vogue. Attacks on the nervous system by the edge of one's palm, are enough to paralyse the opponent. Various types of blows with different effects are, therefore, practiced to perfection.

Character, fitness and sheer courage - these are the demands of Kalari Payattu, which has about it a distinct spiritual and mythical aura. To succeed in this martial art, one needs plenty of fire in the belly, energy, drive and fierce commitment.

Sequance of Sword Fight

Feel the beauty of the Poetic Movement of Sword Fight in The Kaari Payattu.....!!!!!!!

Aayudha Thara The place where the weapons are kept with.

A scean from dagger fight, one of the most beautiful and fierce practice in kalari payattu.

Puli Ankam

In the Air !!!!!

BLACK AARO: The Chuvadu

BLACK AARO: The Chuvadu

The Chuvadu

Chuvadu is one of the importent practice in kalari payattu which purifies the movements of the practitioner. All these actions in the Chuvadu may call as the complete movenent theory of kalari payattu. Everything lies in this. The strches and compactness of human body as in the circumstances need is well practiced in this stage. Only after attaining all these technique, the weapons, the extention to body can attatch to the practitioner.....

At a Glance

This is an earnest attempt to introduce the age-old martial institution of Kerala to an outside audience, who takes interest in the study of the cultural heritage of this region. As a heritage handed down the centuries, the institution of Kalarippayatte has become popular among the lovers of martial art.
Although its origin and growth are shrouded in mystery, the ancient ballads and-foreign accounts have left detailed notes on its practices and the physical culture it promoted. As an institution, the Kalari has greatly influenced the cultural life of Kerala society.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.
Social BackgroundKerala, has made valuable contributions to the world culture and one of them, is the institution of Kalari.
It has a continuity over the centuries and is based on the idea of a sound mind in a sound body. Here, a child along with its learning of reading and writing, was initiated into physical conditioning as in the early civilization of Sparta. Such mental and physical training, starting from childhood, well equipped the child, to face any situation of contingency in life.

Kerala, though separated from the rest of the country on account of her geographical features, is exposed to the continent through the southern and northern plains and a number of gaps in the western ghats. The land is further segmented by deep and wide rivers, forests and valleys. These territorial divisions formed Nadus, which were administered by a traditional ruling chieftain or Naduvazhi. The Naduvazhies ruled under their respective kings. Each Nadu, under its respective chieftain, maintained its peculiar customs, manners and local traditions. Each of them acted as a cultural unit of a common heritage. The Brahmin settlements and their concepts of Chaturvarnya, augmented the process of social formation in Kerala. It is believed that the legendary Parasurama, who was responsible in effecting the 32 Brahmin settlements in this region, had taught the Brahmins the art of fighting, archery, etc. Tradition holds that he had established 108 Kalaries in this region.
The Brahmin authority over martial training, waned away and other caste groups came in. Some of the different Brahmin sects like the Nambisans, engaged themselves in learning and teaching Kalari.
Pazhassi Raja, a king who fought against the British, had his training under one Pindali Nambisan in the last quarter of the 18th Century. Some such teachers belonging to the Brahmin community, taught in the palaces, imparting training to the members of royal families.