Kalaripayattu

Visit: Tiruvakkoli Shree Partha Sarathi Temple, Pattathanam, Bekal, Kerala 671319, India

Kalaripayattu (sometimes shortened as Kalari) is an Indian martial arts and fighting system that originated in Kerala and practiced by warriors of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There is a mention about Tulunadan Kalari in the ballads of Kerala. In Kerala, the warriors belonged to all castes and religions.[1] It is considered by some to be the oldest martial art still in existence, with its origin dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Although Kalaripayattu is called The Mother Of All Martial Arts, it is factually incorrect since historical evidence points to the origin of martial arts at multiple locations in the world, much earlier than Kalaripayattu.

This system generally gives much importance for physical flexibility exercises. These exercises are done individually and as combinations. After that meypayattu (equivalent of Karate kata) is taught.These are combination of flexibility exercises with attacking/defence techniques but the actual techniques are taught very much later. Traditionally the number of meypayattu may differ as per the teaching methods of the Guru. After the student learns meypayattu, stick fighting is taught. Generally a majority of the Kalaris (schools that teach Kalaripayattu) start training with weapons within 3 to 6 months. But some Kalaris allow taking each weapon once in a year only. After long stick and small stick fighting iron weapons are introduced. Training is begun with the dagger, sword and then the spear. Not all modern schools use specialized weapons. Traditionally, bows and arrows were commonly used in Kerala and students were trained in these techniques, but it is uncommon now.