The word Kalarippayattu is derived from the Malayalam words “kalari” meaning gymnasium and “payattu” meaning martial art. It is an age old and perhaps the most famous martial art practiced in Kerala. Not only does Kalarippayattu teach combat, it also teaches other aspects of physical wellbeing and promotes complete mental and emotional strength as well. It dates back to the age when the people of Kerala were Tamil speaking or at least under the Chera kings whose court language was Tamil. Hence the use of Tamil terms such as suvadi, vadivu, verum kai and mei payattu. It is widely believed that Kalarippayattu originated around the 12th century and was effectively used by the Chera warriors against the Chola combatants. It is widely believed to be the oldest form of combat training and that all the eastern martial arts have their origin in Kalaripayattu and have developed and evolved from this South Indian martial art.
- The Thekkan (southern style)
- The Vadakkan (northern style); and
- The Kathinayoga style (yogic style)
The Thekkan
The Southern style of Kalarippayattu is practiced in the southern regions, i.e. the regions that made up the erstwhile Venadu kingdom. Sage Agasthya is said to have been the founder of the Southern style of Kalarippayattu. The movements are sound and hard hitting. It emphasizes on bare handed techniques. The art is practiced in open rounds and the instructors are called Asaans. The main castes practicing this art here are Nadars, Kallars, Thevars and some Sambavar. In the Southern Style there are many stages of learning. Some of these are:
- Chuvatu (solo forms),
- Jodi (duo training),
- Kurunthadi (short stick fight),
- Neduvadi,
- Katthi (Knife Play),
- Katara,
- Urmi (Flexible Sword Play)
- Valum parichayum (Sword and Shield fight)
- Chuttuval (Double Sword Play) and
- Marmma Adi (Attacking the Vital Points); and
- Freehand Grappling.
The Vadakkan or the Northern Style of Kalarippayattu: Sage Parasurama is said to have founded this school of martial arts training. Here the art is practiced chiefly in the Malabar region of Kozhikode and Kannur districts and is propounded by the Chekava caste. Unlike the southern style the emphasis is on weapon fights. The movements are smooth and graceful and leaping, reined movements are encouraged. The stages of learning include-
- Meyppayttu (Solo Forms),
- Kettukari (Long Staff Fight),
- Muchchan (Short Stick Fight),
- Katara (Dagger Fight),
- Valum Parichayum (Sword And Shield Fight)
- Urmi (Flexible Sword Play); and
- Ottakkol (Curved Stick Fight).
Stages
The main stages of learning Kalarippayattu may be identified as:
Meithari is the initial body training and teaches posture, gait and complex leaps. This stage aims are to enhance balance and flexibility and there are 12 basic exercises in this stage.
Kolthari is initiation into the world of weapon fights. The student is introduced to the Kettukari, Cheruvadi or Muchan and the Otta. The Otta is the most difficult and the most lethal among all three. It requires the most practice using its 18 sequences.
Ankathari prepares the combatant in war training starting i.e. he learns to weild metal weapons. The use of these requires superior skills than the wooden weapons. These metal weapons include the Kadhara curved bladed dagger, the Val (sword), Paricha (shield), the Kuntham (spear), the Urumi (flexible sword) and the Chuttuval.
Verumkai is bare handed defence techniques and includes arm locks, grappling, and Marmam he attack at the vital points. This is a dangerous art and a high restriction is exercised in its teaching. Very few students are taught this technique.
Combat Techniques
In Kalarippayattu the combat techniques are a combination of a posture and a step i.e. an adivu and a chuvatu.
The different postures are:
| Gajavadivu | Elephant posture |
| Simhavadivu | Lion posture |
| Asvavadivu | Horse posture |
| Varahavadivu | Wild boar posture |
| Sarpavadivu | Serpent posture |
| Marjaravadivu | Cat posture |
| Kukkuvadivu | Cock posture |
| Matsyavadivu | Fish posture |
| Mayuravadivu | Peacock posture |
The different steps are:
| Vatta Chuvatu | Circular steps |
| Aakka Chuvatu | Inside steps |
| Neekka Chuvatu | Moving steps |
| Kon Chuvatu | Corner steps |
| Ottakkal Chuvatu | One leg steps |
The different weapons used in Kalarippayattu are:
| Pirambu/Neduvati/Kettukari/Shareeravadi | Long Stick |
| Kurunthadi/Cheruvadi/Muchhan | Medium Stick |
| Kottukampu/Thavikkana | Long Stick |
| Urumi/Chuttuval | Flexible Sword |
| Kuruvadi | Short Stick |
| Otta | Curved Stick |
| Gadha | Mace |
| Kattari | Knife |
| Vettukathi | Machete |
| Churika/Kadhara | Short Sword |
| Val | Sword |
| Paricha | Shield |
| Kuntham | Spear |
| Ponti | |
| Ambum Villum | Bow and Arrow |
| Venmazhu | Axe |
| Kathuthala | |
| Trisool | Trident |
Significance
The beauty of Kalarippayattu lies in the devout reverence shown by the combatants to the art. A child starts to learn Kalarippayattu at the age of 5-7 years. The preceptor teaches not only a combat art but gives his student a holistic vision based on healing techniques, philosophy and religious outlook. The student crosses the academy's threshold with his his right foot . The student bows to the ground (Kalari). His preceptor then guides him to seek the blessings of all the masters of Kalarippayattu at the Guruttara.The student offers his preceptor is fees or dakshina as money in a folded betel leaves and prostrates to his guru to seek his blessings. This sequence is repeated daily and signifies the deep rooted devotion of the combatant to his art and preceptor and a promise to abide by and adhere to its principles. The field or Kalari is also treated with reverence and a daily worship is made on the grounds.
The Marma is a technique of offence at the vital pressure points of the opponent’s body. It can be fatal or severely injuring and hence the masters exercise great discretion in choosing the student. Oil massage procedures are also tauht to the student to improve flexibility and muscle coordination.
Performing arts and dances such as Kathakali, Kolkali, Velakali have borrowed heavily from Kalarippayattu. Not only are the postures and foot steps derived from this martial art, oil massage in kathakali too has been borrowed from Kalarippayattu.
Last Updated on 27 May 2011
