This is a guest post from Vishnu Lal, of the Ekaveera Kalaripayattu Academy in Kerala, India. To share something of your own, click here.
Kalaripayattu is an ancient Indian martial art that originated in the state of Kerala. The word “kalari” means battlefield — thus, kalaripayattu is the combative art of the ancient Indian battlefield.
It’s the oldest surviving martial art on the planet, and its nickname, “The Mother of All Martial Arts,” is rather well-deserved. In the days of the Silk Road, cultural exchange between India and China was common — an Indian monk named Bodhidharma is even credited with founding Shaolin kung fu and qigong.
It’s no exaggeration to say that 3,000-year-old kalaripayattu — with its animal-inspired forms, deep stances, and diverse weapons techniques — directly influenced Chinese martial arts, and fighting styles around the world.
- Kalaripayattu and Indian Medicine
- Styles of Kalaripayattu
- Kalaripayattu Weapons
- Mind-Body Training in Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu and Indian Medicine
Kalaripayattu is deeply linked to traditional Indian healing systems. The art has roots in both Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, but fighters’ routine practice of treating injuries eventually developed into its own methodology called kalari chikitsa, or “battlefield medicine.”
Kalaripayattu fighters were also known for their mastery of the marmas.
Marmas are key points on the body that influence the flow of prana energy, found where different types of tissue meet, such as muscles, veins, ligaments, or bones. The word means “secret” in Sanskrit, and its study was largely reserved for warriors; fighters targeted marma points in order to inflict maximum damage with their strikes.
Kerala’s warriors even built custom armor to shield their horses’ marma points in battle
One of the oldest and most important ancient medical texts to survive into the modern world is the Compendium of Suśruta, which notes 107 marmas. Siddha medicine recognizes 108, but the unique marma therapy of Kerala contains 365.
Through massage, heat therapy, and herbal medicines, marma therapy aims to stimulate these points and remove blockages of energy flow. Kalaripayattu practitioners are known for their deep catalog of herbal liniments and oils, applied before and after training.
Northern Style vs Southern Style Kalaripayattu
There are two main styles of kalaripayattu, northern style and southern style, as well as a newly-emerging “central style” which combines elements of both.
Northern Kalaripayattu
- Greater emphasis on weapons training
- Connected to Ayurvedic medicine
- Students train in enclosed kalaris beneath ground level
Southern Kalaripayattu
- Greater emphasis on hand-to-hand combat
- Connected to the Siddha medicine of the Tamils
- Students train in ground-level thatched structures
Kalaripayattu Weapons
Since this ancient art was born on the battlefield, it’s no surprise that there are many types of Kalaripayattu weapons. Weapons are grouped as either wooden or metal. Students start with simple weapons, and progress to complex ones.
Kolthari (wooden weapons)
- Muchan (short stick) — the first wooden weapon is the muchan. It’s a short stick, about three hand-widths long. Foundational practice with the muchan provides the groundwork for practitioners to use weapons as extensions of their bodies.
- Ketu Kaari (long stick) — the ketu kaari resembles the “bo staff,” and is usually made from a thin bamboo or cane. It should be the height of the master’s eye level, regardless of the student’s height.
- Pandiraan Vishel (extra long stick) — this weapon is like a long cudgel. Fighters only use one end, which allows them to focus on creating lightning-quick whipping motions.
- Otta (curved elephant club) — the otta is a curved wooden club based on the shape of an elephant’s trunk. The curved shape helps to attack the enemy’s marma points, knowledge traditionally reserved for high-level practitioners. This is the origin of the saying, “he who is a master of the otta cannot be touched even in his sleep.”
Ankathari (metal weapons)
- Kathi (knives) — kathi are the first of the metal weapons. Styles differ, some with handles or a double-edge, and some intended for dual-wielding.
- Kathiyum Thalayum (knives and long cloth) — kathi knives are often used in tandem with the thala, a traditional long piece of cloth. The thala can be worn as a belt, and also used as a tool for trapping, throwing, and blocking. Additionally, this simple item makes a great last-ditch weapon when otherwise unarmed, and is still worn by elderly people in some villages.
- Kadara (dagger) — the kadara is a combat dagger intended for aggressive stabbing attacks. Its handle and shape deliver deadly blows as an extension of a fighter’s punching motion.
- Valum Parijaim (sword and shield) — this is the iconic traditional weaponry of the Indian battlefield. There are many ways to wield the sword and small buckler shield, and students train with real metal weaponry in order to become used to the clanging sounds of warfare.
- Urumi (Indian whip sword) — The urumi is one of the most unique Indian weapons. This bladed metal whip sword is famously difficult to use, but deadly in the hands of a master. Traditionally the blade measures the same length as the height of a student’s master, and like the thala, this weapon can also be worn as a belt. Unlike the thala, though, this weapon is nearly invisible when moving at high speed, and is capable of decapitating opponents.
Mind-Body Training in Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu, like subsequent Asian martial arts, stresses a balance of physical and mental training.
Striking, wrestling, hatha yoga, and deep animal-inspired postures are all part of the practice. But beyond the physical exercise, kalaripayattu fighters also engage in deep mental training.
The traditional method of studying kalaripayattu is deeply rooted in the Hindu worldview, and is taught in such a way as to bring the practitioner closer to the five elements (Ether, Air, Water, Fire, and Earth). Under the surface, the animal stances are also a means for the practitioner to consider their relationship with the natural world.
Fighters also commonly practice trataka, a tantric firegazing meditation that’s performed at the beginning and end of each practice. Similarly, each training session opens and closes with prayer.
The connection between mind, body, and spirit is a key component of traditional kalaripayattu training.
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Kalaripayattu has much to offer in our modern era. It’s my hope that in the years to come, more people around the world will come to appreciate the teachings of our ancient art.
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