Kalarippayattu

About Kalarippayattu: 

• It is the traditional martial art originated and popularly practiced in Kerala.
• Mythology has it that the warrior sage Parasurama is the promulgator of Kalaripayattu.
• Kalaripayattu is composed of two words, kalari means “place of combat” and payattu means “fighting” in Malayalam.
• The four stages of Payattu are:
  • Maippayattu - Body conditioning exercises
  • Kolthari - Use of wooden weapons
  • Angathari: Use of sharp metallic weapons
  • Verumkai : Bare-handed defense and attack.
• Women also underwent training in Kalaripayattu, and still do so to this day.
• The major ethnic style of Kalaripayattu exists in the three regions of northern Kerala (Malabar): Vattenthirippu Style, Arappukkai Style and Pillathangi Style.
• This martial art stands high and gives trainees incredible strength and stamina, defence techniques, auto reflex, flexibility, confidence, concentration, physical culture and mental discipline etc.
• It can be said that Kalarippayattu is Yoga in action. This is the only Martial art associated with a treatment branch which can be introduced in the field of sports medicine also.

Q1: What is Martial art?

It is any of various fighting sports or skills, mainly of East Asian origin, such as kung fu, judo, karate, and kendō. Martial arts can be divided into the armed and unarmed arts. The former include archery, spearmanship, and swordsmanship; the latter, which originated in China, emphasize striking with the feet and hands or grappling.

Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Recognizes Kalarippayattu Federation of India for Promotion of Kalarippayattu in Country