KADATHANAD CHEKOR KALARI SANGAM PBA: March 2011

NEED FOR LEARNING THE KALARIPPAYATTU

KALARIPPAYATTU

Kalaripayattu (Malayalam: Pronounced [kaɭəɾipːajətːɨ̆]) is a Dravidian martial art from the Indian state of Kerala. One of the oldest fighting systems in existence,^[1] it is practiced in Kerala and contiguous parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka^[2] as well as northeastern Sri Lanka and among the Malayalese community of Malaysia. It was practiced primarily by the Nairs,the martial caste of Kerala, and also by some other castes like Nadars^[3]^[4]^[5] ,Ezhavas^[6] and Muslims.

Kalari payat includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods.^[2] Regional variants are classified according to geographical position in Kerala; these are the northern style of the Malayalese, the southern style of the Tamils and the central style from inner Kerala. Northern kalari payat is based on the principle of hard technique, while the southern style primarily follows the soft techniques, even though both systems make use of internal and external concepts.

Some of the choreographed sparring in kalari payat can be applied to dance^[2] and kathakali dancers who knew martial arts were believed to be markedly better than the other performers. Some traditional Indian dance schools still incorporate kalari payat as part of their exercise regimen.[7

ORIGIN OF KALARIPPAYATTU

Oral folklore ascribes the creation of kalari payat to the Hindu gods almost 3000 years ago. Phillip Zarrilli, a professor at the University of Exeter and one of the few Western authorities on kalari payat, estimates that the art dates back to at least the 12th century AD.^[2] The historian Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai attributes the birth of kalari payat to an extended period of warfare between the Tamil Kingdoms Cheras and the Cholas in the 11th century AD.^[2] The art was disseminated through the kalari, which served as active centres of learning before the modern educational system was introduced. Still in existence, these institutions were schools where students could assemble together and acquire knowledge on various subjects ranging from mathematics, language, astronomy and various theatrical arts. Martial arts were taught in the payattu kalari, meaning fight school.

Kalari payat became more developed during the 9th century and was practiced by a section of the Nair community, warrior clan of Kerala, to defend the state and the king. In the 11th and 12th century, Kerala was divided into small principalities that fought one-to-one wars among themselves. These duels or ankam were fought by Chekavar on an ankathattu, a temporary platform, four to six feet high.^[8] The right and duty to practice martial arts in the service of a district ruler was most associated with Nairs and Ezhavas.^[2] The Lohar of north Kerala were Buddhist warriors^[9] who practiced kalaripayat.

The writings of early colonial historians like Varthema, Logan and Whiteway shows that kalari payat was widely popular and well established with almost all people in Kerala transcending gender, caste and communal lines. It is said to have eventually become as prevalent as reading and writing. Among some noble families, young girls also received preliminary training up until the onset of menses.^[2] It is also known from the vadakkan pattukal ballads that at least a few women of noted Chekavar continued to practise and achieved a high degree of expertise.^[2] The most famous of them was Unniarcha of Keralan folklore, a master with the urumi or flexible sword.

The earliest western account of kalari payat is that of the Portuguese explorer Duarte Barbosa (c. 1518).^[2]

The more part of these warriors when they are seven years of age are sent to schools where they are taught many tricks of nimbleness and dexterity; there they teach them to dance and turn about and to twist on the ground, to take royal leaps, and other leaps, and this they learn twice a day as long as they are children, and they become so loose-jointed and supple that they make them turn their bodies contrary to nature; and when they are fully accomplished in this, they teach them to play with the weapon to which they are most inclined, some with bows and arrows, some with poles to become spearmen, but most with swords and bucklers, which is most used among them, and in this fencing they are ever practising. The masters who teach them are called Panikars.

KADATHANAD CHEKOR KALARI SANGAM PBA

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KADATHANAD CHEKOR KALARI SANGAM PBA

Sri.PAROTH KARUNAN GURUKKAL

Master on giving instruction