Kalaripayattu facts for kids
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| Also known as | Kalari, Kalarippayattu, Kalari Payat |
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| Focus | Hybrid |
| Hardness | Full-contact, semi-contact |
| Country of origin | India |
| Creator | Parashurama (as per legend) |
| Famous practitioners | Notable Kalaripayattu practitioners |
| Olympic sport | No |
Kalaripayattu, often called Kalari, is an ancient Indian martial art. It began on the southwestern coast of India, in a region now known as Kerala. This exciting martial art has been practiced for thousands of years, dating back to around 300 BCE.
Contents
Kalaripayattu: India's Ancient Martial Art
What is Kalaripayattu?
The name Kalaripayattu comes from two Malayalam words. Kalari means "training ground" or "battleground." Payattu means "training in martial arts." So, Kalaripayattu roughly translates to "practice in the arts of the battlefield." It's a unique fighting style that developed with special weapons and techniques from Kerala.
A Look at Kalaripayattu's History
Legends and Early Beginnings
Ancient stories say that Parashurama, a powerful hero from Indian legends, learned Kalaripayattu from the god Shiva. He then taught it to the first people of Kerala. Another legend tells us that Ayyappa, a war deity, also learned Kalaripayattu in a famous training school called Cheerappanchira Kalari.
Historians believe Kalaripayattu grew from old combat techniques used by the Dravidian people around 600 BCE. Warriors back then trained regularly. They learned to ride horses and elephants. They also became experts with weapons like spears, swords, shields, and bows and arrows.
Kalaripayattu in Medieval Times
Around the 11th century, Kalaripayattu became very important. During a long war, military training became a must for everyone. Each village in Kerala had its own kalari, which was a special training hall. Children would join these kalaris after school to learn military skills. This training helped young people become strong and disciplined.
Local poems, called Vadakkan Pattu, tell stories of brave warriors from this time. These poems show that martial training was a big part of life for young people. Kalaripayattu was even used in special duels, called ankam, to settle disagreements. Fighters would train for many years to become experts before these duels.
Challenges and Revival
In the 16th century, European explorers like Vasco da Gama visited Kerala. They saw the impressive Kalaripayattu training. A Portuguese explorer named Duarte Barbosa wrote about how young people started training at age seven. They learned to be agile and flexible. They practiced dancing, twisting, and leaping. Then, they chose their favorite weapons to master.
However, Kalaripayattu started to decline in the 17th century. This happened when guns and cannons became common. Traditional weapons like swords and spears were used less. Later, in 1804, the British government banned Kalaripayattu in Kerala. This was after a rebellion against their rule. Many training schools had to close.
But brave teachers, called gurukkals, refused to let the art disappear. They continued to teach Kalaripayattu in secret. Masters like Kottackkal Kanaran Gurukkal worked hard to keep the art alive. Their efforts led to a big revival of Kalaripayattu in the 1920s.
The interest in Kalaripayattu grew again in the 20th century. Teachers like Chambadan Veetil Narayanan Nair opened many new kalaris. Chirakkal T. Sreedharan Nair also played a huge role. He wrote the first books about Kalaripayattu, including a complete guide. These books helped spread knowledge of the art.
Today, Kalaripayattu is still thriving. Dancers use it to improve their flexibility and strength. In 2017, Meenakshi Amma, a 73-year-old gurukkal, received a special award from the Indian government for her work. In 2021, the Government of Kerala opened a Kalaripayattu Academy. This academy teaches both children and adults, ensuring the art continues for future generations.
How Kalaripayattu is Practiced
Learning from a Guru
Kalaripayattu is taught through the guru-shishya system. This means students learn directly from a master, or guru. Students constantly learn and improve their techniques. Gurus also add their own experiences to help the art evolve.
Weapons and Training Ground
Kalaripayattu training includes strikes, kicks, grappling, and using many different weapons. Warriors used light body armor to stay flexible and quick. Interestingly, Kalaripayattu teaches weapon techniques first. Barehanded fighting comes later. Some weapons used are maces (gadas), spears, daggers, and the flexible urumi sword.
Kalaripayattu is taught in a special training hall called a kalari. These kalaris are built following ancient Indian architectural rules. The floor of a kalari is made of red sand mixed with special herbs. These herbs are believed to help heal small injuries during training. Kalaris also have symbolic areas. The Poothara is a raised platform for respect. The Ganapatithara is for honoring the deity Ganapati, who removes obstacles. The Guruthara honors the guru and past teachers. Before each training session, students show respect to these areas and their guru.
Training Uniform and Commands
The traditional training uniform is a loincloth called kachakettal. It is usually red and white or red and black. During training, the guru gives oral commands, called vaithari. These commands are in Sanskrit or Malayalam.
Movements and Stances
Kalaripayattu techniques combine steps (Chuvadu) and postures (Vadivu). Chuvadu are the basic steps. Vadivu are the stances, which are like foundations for training. Many stances are named after animals. Each stance has its own style and purpose. These movements are also used by dancers in Kerala, like those in Kathakali.
Kalaripayattu practitioners also learn to adapt to new fighting techniques. This helps them anticipate and counter different styles.
Special Body Care
Because Kalaripayattu masters understand the human body so well, they also know about traditional medicine and massage. Kalaripayattu teachers often give special massages, called uzhichil, to their students. These massages use medicinal oils to make students more flexible. They also help treat muscle injuries.
Different Styles of Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu has different styles, or vazhi, which means "way" or "method." These styles have been adapted by various masters over time. The two main styles are the Northern style (Vadakkan Kalari) and the Southern style (Thekkan Kalari).
Northern Style: Grace and Flexibility
The Northern style is mainly practiced in the Malabar region of Kerala. It focuses on elegant and flexible movements, evasions, and jumps. Training starts with exercises to make the body very flexible. Then, students learn meypayattu, which are combinations of flexibility and fighting techniques. Training usually happens in four stages:
- Meipayattu: Body conditioning and stances.
- Kolthari: Practice with wooden weapons.
- Angathari: Practice with metal weapons.
- Verum kai: Barehanded combat.
Many schools begin weapon training within a few months.
Southern Style: Power and Impact
The Southern style is mostly practiced in the southern parts of Kerala. It focuses on strong, impact-based techniques. It emphasizes hand-to-hand combat and powerful footwork. This style is believed to have been influenced by other martial arts from nearby regions. Training begins with Chuvadu, which are combinations of fighting techniques. Then, students practice sparring with a partner. After learning unarmed combat, they move on to weapons like small sticks.
Understanding Vital Points (Marmam)
Kalaripayattu masters also learn about marmam, which are special points on the human body. Knowing these points helps in healing and can also be used for defense. This knowledge is taught only to very responsible students to ensure it's used wisely. Ancient texts like the Rig Veda and Sushruta Samhita mention these vital points, showing that people in India have known about them for a long time.
Who Manages Kalaripayattu Today?
Several organizations help manage and promote Kalaripayattu in India. The Indian Kalaripayattu Federation (IKF) in Thiruvananthapuram is one of the main groups. It is recognized by the Indian government's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The Kalaripayattu Federation of India (KFI) in Kozhikode is another important body, recognized by the Indian Olympic Association. The Kerala Kalaripayattu Association (KKA) also works to support the martial art.
Famous Kalaripayattu Masters
Kottackkal Kanaran Gurukkal (1850–1935) was a legendary gurukkal. He was known as the "Dronacharya of Kalaripayattu." He helped preserve the art during the British ban. He even sold his property to fund the study of Kalaripayattu.
Chambadan Veetil Narayanan Nair (1905–1944), a student of Kottakkal Kanaran Gurukkal, was known as "CVN." He opened many kalaris across Kerala, helping to bring the art back to life.
Chirakkal T. Sreedharan Nair (1909–1984) was a gurukkal who wrote the first books about Kalaripayattu. His book, Kalaripayattu, published in 1937, was the first of its kind. He also wrote a complete guide that is still a key reference today.
For their amazing work in preserving Kalaripayattu, Meenakshi Amma and Sankara Narayana Menon Chundayil were awarded the Padma Sri by the Government of India.
See also
