INTRODUCTION TO KALARIPAYATTU BASICS

VOLUME 1 – THE ORIGIN OF MARTIAL ARTS

Kalaripayattu as we know is the oldest martial art of the world. Even though it is a discipline, Kalaripayattu is essentially a form of warfare.  Kalaripayattu, in short, is a defensive art of Kerala. It is Kerala’s own martial art tradition. It travelled abroad and even influenced other martial arts such as Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and even Karate. Soon enough it emerged as a new martial art form worldwide. That is how Karate, Kung Fu and the original form of Jiu-Jitsu spread in China and far East.

Understanding Kalaripayattu

You may ask what is Kalaripayattu? Why it is practiced inside a specific setup? Talking about the whole structure of Kalaripayattu it is done inside a Kalari. Here, Kalari is specially made using the ground surface. The top soil from the surface is removed to a depth of maybe 3-4 feet and in one corner there will be a presiding deity which we call ‘Puttara’ and there is another place known as ‘Guruttara’ which is dedicated to preceptors of Kalaripayattu. The practice of Kalaripayat is divided into 4 parts, first is ‘Meipayat’ which in Malayalam means ‘body conditioning’ which if we further elaborate refers to  the maximum or exaggerated use of all the joints and muscles.  They are choreographed to form a series of exercises.

And then comes ‘Koltharipayattu’ section which is all about wooden weapons. There are many wooden weapons  - long canes, short staffs, bent ones – otta (a horn-like weapon) which are used for training purposes. When coming to Koltharipayattu, there are these vaiitharis or the oral commands, first starting with the long staff  - kettukari. There are ten series in that each set to well-balanced vaiitharis or oral commands. Students in pairs shall practice together.

The third part is known as ‘Ankatharipayattu’ which is all about the sharp weapons. Sharp weapons like sword and shield, spear, dagger, and flexible sword urumi. Do you know that once upon a time urumi was worn around the waist of a person. So in an emergency situation he/she may take off that urumi and fight with that. As easy as it sounds, the length of urumi is quite a lot and people were supposed to carry it without being noticed by others.

Now comes the fourth and the final part which is ‘Verumkai’ that is bare handed defense and attack. So after learning and acquiring the necessary skills as well as the reflexes, he/ she should be able to defend any attack from all the quarters using any kind of weapons.

Kalari is not just limited fighting techniques but has a strong connection with therapeutic science, that is medicine. When you practice Kalaripayattu, you will come across bone-setting methods and ayurvedic massages. You learn and practice and learn more things and practice. So it is a never-ending process.

Revival of Kalaripayattu 

By the break-up or the end of Perumal life in the Southern part of India, somewhere around the 7^th or 9^th centuries, there emerged a lot of principalities, small kingdoms. And it was at that time, they wanted to keep private armies. So the warriors trained in their respective kalaris and became the soldiers of their respective principalities. There are records that trained Kalaripayattu practitioners and experts went as hired mercenaries to resolve differences amidst different kingdoms and establish a state of lawfulness. Without doubt, Kalaripayattu had its golden era at that time.

So ever after that Kalaripayattu had its decadence during the Portugese rule and thereafter during the British rule. Just before 1804 there was a great revolt by the great ruler Parashi and it was an armed revolt. Looking at the situation, the practice of Kalaripyattu was banned by the British Council and also who were hoarding weapons or who was found practicing weaponry, they were sent to jail. What a plight! When India gained independence there was none to revive Kalaripayattu, the most ancient art form at that time. Not even as a sports activity.

If you look at wrestling there is a bout. No one is killed. In professional boxing, also, no one is killed. However, the skills in Kalaripayattu have not been developed or metamorphosed or stylized to form such quality sport items. But, there is a small revival now. On the bright side, there are more than 100 Kalaris prevailing where daily practice is going on nowadays. For Kalaripyattu to regain its value once again, people like you and me must help spread this admirable art form. One should not forget, it is an all-rounder fitness activity which invokes discipline at large. Also, keep in mind, there is no age limit to Kalaripayattu.

So what are you waiting for. Find a suitable Kalari Training Center near you and make the most of this venerated art form.

#Stay Fit #Stay Healthy #Kalari #MartialArt 

Enroll For A Six Months Certificate Course In Kalaripayattu Martial Arts – Beginners Level

Enroll For A Six Months Certificate Course In Kalaripayattu Martial Arts – Beginners Level

It is no hidden fact, that today stress levels have gone sky high and have been found to impair overall body’s functioning and health. As a solution, picking any physical activity is the only way to cure your body and mind and put a full stop on the never-ending health problems. On a bright side, a lot of people, especially young adults and children choose amidst Tai Chi, Karate or even Kung Fu to achieve their fitness goals. Other than teaching self-defense, these martial art forms also boost flexibility, improves concentration and strengthens an individual’s body. But did you know all these martial art forms actually originated from Indian martial art form – Kalaripayattu? Surprising, isn’t it?

Kalaripayattu is the mother of all martial art forms. Originated from the God’s own country, Kerala, this martial art is not centuries but eons old, and is believed to have been practiced by Lord Parshuram, according to ancient Hindu literature. In Malayalam, means ‘the art of fighting in a battlefield’ and ‘payat  means training in art to combat.’

Why you must learn Kalari

·         It emphasizes the correct breathing techniques for each specific movement and posture.

·         Improves your presence of mind with meticulous pointe work and weightless acrobatic movements.

·        The art de-stresses you and boosts your confidence levels.

·        Helps you cutback laziness, makes you fast and improves your patience levels.

Now, you know this venerated martial art form is a holistic approach to a sound body, mind and soul.  On that note, we would like to invite all the Kalari enthusiasts to train with experienced Kalari practitioners and become internally healed, fit and healthy.

In association with Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Nithya Chaitanya Kalari, a renowned martial arts center is introducing a six month Kalaripayattu martial art (Kalari Vidya) beginners certificate course from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Delhi with an aim to promote Sanskrit and Sanskriti, since 1938.

The course includes:

Kalari Vidya (Kalaripyattu martial arts training) is one of the 64 Vidyas described in Indian scriptures under Gurukul learning system and comes under traditional Vyayam (exercises) learning. Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan is now bringing forth the training of Indian Martial Arts  - Kalaripyattu with a comprehensive semester wise learning syllabus. To begin with, this initial six months Kalaripayattu Martial Arts (Kalari Vidya0 Beginners Certificate course from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan will help in improvement of body flexibility, agility, mental health, concentration, sharp mind and strength development. Kalaripayattu is proven to immensely help students, professionals such as Dancers, Choreographers and even Sports personalities for laying a strong foundation in the field of arts and sports.

Note: Trainers for this course will be from Nithya Chaithanya Kalari (reg.) Kalaripayattu Martial Arts Center.

Admission Dates:

·           Date of Notification to Admissions from 25th   Feb, 2020

·        Last Date of Admission till 10^th March 2020

·           Commencement of Classes from 15^th August 2020

Session: Weekend batches on Saturdays and Sundays.

Timings: 2:00 pm – 4:00pm (2hours duration)

Eligibility: For adults – Open for all as age is no bar

For children – 5 year onwards

Educational Qualification: Education is not a bar for this course.

Fitness: Candidates need to carry a medical fitness certificate from Registered Medical Practitioner. People with respiratory issues, cardiovascular issues, joint-related issues, nervous disorders or other critical ligament fractures/ injuries will not be considered fit to join the course.

Fees: For a Single 6 months (single semester) Certificate Course – one time full payment is INR 11800 (Eleven Thousand Eight Hundred) only, including GST.

Contact Details: Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Delhi Office

Address: Program Division, Room No. 20, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi – 110001. Website – www.bvbdelhi.org

Phone Nos.  – 011 -233822002, 011-23382470

For Course Details/ Course related Queries – You may contact Dr. Murugan Pillai Gurukkal, Ph. +91-11-2261 7754, Mob No. – 9810781909

Last but not the least, if you have a sports person or a Bollywood celebrity whom you really admire, make sure to check what they are learning these days. With more and more information propagating about this ancient martial art form, most of the health and fitness freaks are rapidly drawn towards Kalaripayattu. So what are you waiting for! Register yourself and get a chance to learn the most ancient martial art form in your city.

#Stay fit #Stay healthy

Kalaripayattu: The Mother of all Martial Arts

Wondering about the benefits of Kalaripayattu?

Here’s a list that will make you realize how important it is for people to get trained for this form of “Indian martial art”:

1.      It boosts flexibility:

Just like martial art teaches you several flexible moves to protect yourself during a fight, so does Kalaripayattu. This is what makes it better than the other forms of fighting.

2.      It improves the strength in an individual’s body:

As mentioned earlier, the strength within your body is first focused upon. Kalaripayattu trainers and practitioners believe that you can never call yourself strong, unless you are internally healed, fit and healthy.

3.      It ensures to make you fast:

There are a lot of quick moves that you learn while practicing this art. You are required to defend yourself for protection and attack, both within a friction of the second so that you are saved from getting injured, but are able to hurt the opponent.

4.      It cuts down the ‘laziness” in your body:

If you have been lazy all your life, this is the form of martial art that you have got to learn to get the best out of your body. It takes you to a different zone in life.

5.      Your concentration power increases the more you practice this art:

If you want to boost your focus on a specific thing, Kalaripayattu can help you with the same. You learn the true meanings of dedication and determination when you are a Kalaripayattu student.

6.      Your patience is improved with the practice of this art:

This form of martial art requires patience because it is not something that you can learn overnight. It teaches you to be calm at the same time.

7.      If you are stressed, the hatha yoga Asanas taught in this art ensure to de-stress you:

There are various Yoga asanas taught during the process of Kalaripayattu. Thus, if there is any sort of stress in your life, you can get rid of it by learning and practicing this art. It promises to bring a major positive change in your life and improve the way you think about yourself. It also boosts your confidence level.

8.      Your presence of mind is improved as you learn new moves for the battlefield:

There are countless moves that you are taught when you are being trained by a Kalaripayattu expert. Also, you develop a few moves on your own after a certain period of time and, that requires a strong presence of mind.

9.      You can survive a real attack as well:

If you are attacked for real, you can use your Kalaripayattu techniques to survive the fight and defeat the threat.

10.  You can train other people in Kalaripayattu, since it is quite in demand these days:

If you want to earn money from your Kalaripayattu skills, you can host your very own sessions in future or establish a class for all the aspiring Kalaripayattu learners.