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Kalaripayattu is possibly the oldest Martial art still practised in the world. This martial art form that originated in Kerala, India, derives its name from "Kalari" or the arena in which the combatants fight and "payattu" which means practice in Malayalam the language of Kerala. The fighting rink is the theatre where the disciple of Kalaripayattu displays his prowess. Nowadays Kalaripayattu is practised more as fitness training and as a demonstration sport, which you can see on tours of Kerala with Kerala Backwater. In earlier times Kalaripayattu was practised as a fighting skill by the warriors in the armies of the Kings and warlords of Kerala. Often conflicts between courtiers and disputes between landlords in Kerala, were settled by bouts of Kalaripayattu.
Kalaripayattu is an art of combat, which combines the strength and flexibility of the body with the discipline and focus of the mind. Kalaripayattu is related to yoga and Ayurveda. The disciple of the martial art of Kalaripayattu does the smooth flowing exercises of yoga to flex his muscles before going on to practicing the more energetic fighting routines of Kalaripayattu. Massage with ayurvedic oils is an important part of the Kalaripayattu routine.
There are two main forms of Kalaripayattu which you can see on tours of Kerala with Kerala Backwater. The Vadakkan form or the Northern Style and the Thekkan form or the southern style, differ in the speed and flow of their movements.
The different stages in the training process of a disciple of the Kalaripayattu martial art form of Kerala are:
Meythari: In this stage the fighter learns jumps, twists and movements of the body that will aid him while fighting. The emphasis is on flexibility and agility.
Kolthari: The first phase of fighting begins with wooden sticks and staffs.
Ankathari: After mastering stick fighting, the student moves on metal weapons including short daggers and swords and shields.
Verumaki: This is the final stage of the Kalaripayattu martial art form taught in Kerala. Students learn to fight with their bare hands. Hand to hand combat involves armlocks, wrestling and attack and defense.
Along with fighting, the Kalaripayattu student learns how to treat injuries using the techniques of Ayurveda and how to heal wounds and bruises, with massage oils. Only after learning all the aspects of Kalaripayattu does the student of Kalaripayattu become a Gurukkal or grandmaster of the martial art of Kerala, Kalaripayattu.
Kalaripayattu is also practised by dancers because it helps build flexibility and agility. You can see this martial art of Kerala being practised and demonstrated when you travel to Kerala with Kerala Backwater.
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