Kalarippayattu

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About Kalaripayattu:

It is one of the oldest and most scientific martial art forms in the world, aimed at mind and body coordination.
It originated and is widely practiced in Kerala. The term “Kalari” in Malayalam refers to a traditional gymnasium where this martial art, known as Payattu, is taught.
According to mythology, the warrior sage Parasurama is credited with establishing Kalarippayattu.
The four stages of Kalaripayattu are:
- Maippayattu: It is the body conditioning phase where the person is schooled to prepare their body for a fight. Only after qualifying this stage can the practitioner proceed to the next phase of training.
- Kolthari: In this stage, a person is taught attack and self-defense with the help of wooden weapons such as short sticks, and long sticks.
- Angathari: Once the person overcomes the fear of fighting with wooden weapons, sharp metal objects are introduced — in the third stage.
- Verumkai: This stage includes research-based bare-hand fighting. Students are taught body anatomy so that they know what points they can hit and what they cannot.
The main ethnic styles of Kalarippayattu found in the three regions of northern Kerala (Malabar) are: Vattenthirippu Style, Arappukkai Style and Pillathangi Style.
It is believed that Kalarippayattu was introduced to China at the Shaolin Temple in the 5th century AD by Bodhidharma, who was originally from Thanjavore, a cultural center that was part of Kerala but is now in Tamil Nadu.