Kalaripayattu

File:Valpayattu.jpg

Sword fighting in Kalarippayattu.

Kalarippayattu (Malayalam: കളരിപ്പയറ്റ്) is a martial art practiced in Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu that combines self defense, religion and elements of "martial dance".

Etymology

"Kalarippayattu" is a tatpurusha compound formed from the words "kalari" (Malayalam: കളരി) meaning "place where martial exercises are taught" and "payattu" (Malayalam: പയറ്റ്) meaning "fencing exercise, a trick". M.D. Raghavan suggests that "kalari" is derived from the Sanskrit "khalūrikā;" Thomas Burrow, however, argues that "khalūrikā" and its Sanskrit root "khala-" are in fact Dravidian loan words.

The Kalari

File:KalariPuttara.jpg

A Kalari Puttara.

Main article: Kalari

The kalari is a specially constructed practicing area that comprises a Puttara (seven tiered platform) in the south-west corner. The guardian deity is located here, and is worshipped with flowers, incense and water before each practising session, which is preceded by a prayer.

Branches of Kalarippayattu

There are two main branches of Kalarippayattu: northern Kerala style (Vadakkan Kalarippayattu) and southern Kerala style (Thekken Kalarippayattu, also known as Adithada).

The northern style involves more elaborate graceful body movements and is associated with the Naboothiri, Nair and Ezhava communities of the Malabar region. The term Malabar came from the Portuguese word "malabaristas" meaning acrobats/jugglers. When the Portuguese first arrived Kerala, they saw people practicing Kalaripayattu which looked a lot like circus acrobats to them.

The southern style (Adithada) involves very rapid economical, yet powerful movements, is practiced mainly in the Travancore area, and is associated with the Maravar, Nadar and Vellala castes of the Tamil community as well as the Nair community of South Travancore. The southern style is usually practiced in a "thara kalari"," a piece of land next to the home of the teacher ("asan" or "guru"). In the past, learning Kalaripayattu was compulsory for all male members of the warrior Nair caste. It was also practised by some Ezhava families.

The southern style is closely related to the Tamil martial arts practiced in Travancore and Kanyakumari. Compared to Kalarippayattu, these arts place more emphasis on empty-hand techniques and less on weapons. Disciples of the southern style are trained in using bare hands, feet, knees, elbows and forehead. These arts claim descent from the rishi Agastya and variously go by names such as ati tata (strike/block), ati murai (way of hitting), varma ati (Tamil)/marma ati (Malayalam) (literally, hitting the vital points). Other Tamil empty hand martial arts include Kuttu Varisai and Varma Kalai. Tamil weapon arts include Silambam (staff fighting), Madhu (deer horn dagger), Surul Pattai (steel blade whip called Urumi in Kalarippayattu), and Val Vitchi (sword fight).

Legend

Oral tradition attributes kalarippayattu and indeed Kerala itself to Parasurama, sixth avatar of Vishnu.

Long ages ago, the sage Parasurama brought one hundred and sixty-six katam [one katam equals five miles, i.e., this land mass was brought up from the ocean, thereby "founding" the Malayalam-speaking region known today as Kerala State] from the sea and consecrated 108 idols. Then in order to defeat his enemies he established forty-two kalari, and then brought some adhyanmar (high caste brahmins) in order to conduct worship (puja) at the kalari. Then he taught twenty one masters of the kalari how to destroy their enemies."

History

The earliest reference to Kalarippayattu occurs in A Description of the Coasts of East Africa and Malabar in the Beginning of the Sixteenth Century by Duarte Barbosa, indicating that kalarippayattu had already developed by this time.

Phillip B. Zarrilli, a professor at the University of Exeter and one of the few Western authorities on kalaripayattu, estimates that kalarippayattu dates back to at least the 12th century CE.[1]

The historian Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai hypothesizes that kalarippayattu was a product of battles between the Cheras and the Cholas during the 11th century CE. This theory was reiterated by later writers without question. Today, as the concept of the war has been questioned and rejected, the theory of the origin of Kalarippayattu during this war has lost its ground.

Until the 19th century, this martial art could be practised only by the warrior castes. All children of such castes were sent to a Kalari at the age of seven, where they learnt the art of warfare as a primary occupation.

Kalarippayattu underwent a period of decline after the introduction of firearms and especially after the full establishment of British colonial rule in the 19th century; however, Kalarippayattu has been reinvigorated ever since the 1970s surge of general worldwide interest in martial arts.

Claims that Chinese and Japanese martial arts come from kalarippayattu via Bodhidharma and Shaolin Kung Fu are complicated by the documented existence of martial arts in China—and specifically at the Shaolin temple—prior to the purported arrival of Bodhidharma as well as disputes over Bodhidharma's origins and history.

Further information: Disputed history of Kalarippayattu

Training

A student begins his Kalarippayatt training at the age of 7 or 8 with a formal initiation ritual performed by the Master (Gurukkal). The training is mainly divided into 3 parts consisting of Meythari, Kolthari and Angathari. Apart from these, one more stage exists called Verumkai.

The above mentioned stages are for the vadakkan style. In the thekkan style the taining starts with Chuvadu (solo forms), Jodi(partner training/sparring), Kurunthadi, Neduvadi,Katthi, Katara,valum parichayum, Chuttuval, double sword and Marmma and kalari grappling. The Guru is called as "Asan"

Kalarippayattu training differs from most other martial arts training in that bare hand fighting skills are taught in the end. But this is not the case with the thekkan system. In the thekkan system the bare hand tactics are taught just after the solo forms and again when the students reaches high levels of proficiency the marmma or science of vital points are taught. Since it was originally the martial training given to warriors, the martial art teaches the practitioner to become adept in several different forms of weapons.

Kalarippayattu training is incomplete without learning the medical aspects. The practitioner who has completed martial training will be taught how to treat physical injuries with traditional medicines. A person who is well versed with all these aspects becomes a complete master and is called Kalari Gurukkal or simply Gurukkal.

Initiation Ceremony

File:Maithari.jpg

Kalarippayattu trainer practicing Meythari.

At the age of seven, on an auspicious day or on the opening day of the new session, a novice is admitted to the kalari in the presence of the Gurukkal or a senior student, and directed to place his right foot first across the threshold. The student touches the ground with the right hand and then his forehead, as a sign of respect. He is then led to the Guruttara (the place where a lamp is kept burning in reverence to all the masters of the kalari) to repeat his act of worship. He then has to offer some money in folded betel leaves as dakshina (tuition fee) for the master and bow and prostrate himself before the latter, and touch his legs, as a sign of submission. The guru then places his hands on the pupil’s head, blesses him and prays for him. This worship— touching the ground, Poottara, Guruttara and the guru’s feet— is to be repeated everyday. It symbolizes a complete submission to and acceptance of the Kalari deities, Kalari master, and the rules and discipline of the art.

Meythari

This is the beginner stage where rigorous body sequences comprising twists, stances and complex jumps and turns are to be mastered. After the basic postures of the body twelve sequences of body control exercises are practiced; these exercises are termed as Meyppayattu and they impart excellent neuro muscular co-ordination. This is the stage of training leading to balance and flexibility.

Kolthari

File:Neduvati.jpg

Kolthari using Kettukari.

Once the student has become physically competent, he/she is introduced to fighting with long wooden weapons.

The first weapon taught is the cane staff which is usually five feet (1.5 m.) in length, or up to the forehead of the student from the ground level called "Kettukari".

The second weapon taught is a short wooden stick of about two and a half feet (75 cm), or three palm spans. This is called the "Cheruvadi" or "Muchan".

The third weapon taught is "Otta", a wooden staff curved to resemble the trunk of an elephant. The tip is rounded and is used to strike the vital spots in the opponent's body. This weapon is considered the master weapon, and is the fundamental tool of practice to develop stamina, agility, power, and skill. The training in 'Otta' consists of 18 sequences.

Ankathari

File:Urmi-Payattu.jpg

Angathari using Chuttuval and Paricha(Shield).

Ankathari means training in warfare. Once the practitioner has gained confidence with all the wooden weapons, he/she is introduced to metal weapons, which require superior concentration due to their lethal nature.

The first weapon taught is the metal dagger called "Kadhara", which has a curved blade. The second weapon taught is the sword and shield. The sword is called "Val" and the shield is called "Paricha". The sword and shield exercises are very elegant to look at.

There are more weapons taught, including a wooden spear called the kuntham, and the flexible sword called Urumi or Chuttuval, an extremely dangerous weapon taught to only the most skillful students.

Historically, after the completion of 'Ankathari' training, the student would specialize in a weapon of his choice, to become an expert swordsman or stick fighter.

Verumkai

File:Verumkai.jpg

Verumkai fighting in Kalarippayattu.

Only after achieving mastery with all weapons forms is the practitioner taught to defend his/her person with bare-handed techniques. These include strikes to vital pressure points of the body (called Marmam), grapples, and arm locks. The knowledge of marmam is taught by the "Kalari Gurukkal" to only the students whom he trusts. Presently only very few people are trained to hit the marmam.

Vativu (Postures) and Chuvatu (Foot movements)

Atavu which is a combination of Vativu and Chuvatu.

Vativu: There are eight Vativus or postures in Kalarippayattu and they are called "Ashta vativukal":

• Gaja Vativu or the elephant pose
• Asva Vativu or the horse pose
• Simha Vativu or the lion pose
• Varaha Vativu or the boar pose
• Matsya Vativu or the fish pose
• Marjara Vativu or the cat pose
• Kukkuta Vativu or the cock pose
• Sarpa Vativu or the serpent pose

One more Vativu practiced in some kalaries is

• Mayura Vativu or the peacock pose

Each posture has its own style, power combination, usefulness and effectiveness.

Chuvatu: There are five Chuvatus or foot positions and movements they are:

• Vatta Chuvatu
• Aakka Chuvatu
• Neekka Chuvatu
• Kon Chuvatu
• Ottakkal Chuvatu

One should be a master in all the foot movements to master Kalarippayattu.

AnkaKalari and Ankathattu

File:Kadhara.jpg

Kalarippayattu using Kadhara

An Ankathattu is a four to six foot high platform constructed temporarily for the purpose of fighting duels. Ankam means war in Malayalam language. The platform is contructed of traditional materials as an arena, or AnkaKalari, where people can watch the fight.

A few centuries ago, quarrels between local rulers were resolved by holding an Ankam in which each ruler was represented by a fighter, or Ankachekavar.

Weapons used by Kalarippayattu warriors

File:Kalariweapons.jpg

Common Weapons used in Kalarippayattu.

1. Pirambu/Neduvati/Kettukari/Shareeravadi (long staff)
2. Kurunthadi/Cheruvadi/Muchhan (medium stick)
3. Kuruvadi (short stick)
4. Kottukampu or Thavikkana (names for sticks)
5. Otta (curved stick)
6. Gadha (club, mace)
7. Kattari (knife/dagger)
8. Vettukathi (a machete or kukri)
9. Churika/Kadhara (short sword)
10. Val (sword)
11. Paricha (round shield)
12. Kuntham (spear)
13. Urumi/Chuttuval (flexible sword)

File:Kalari-Urumi.jpg

Urumi/Chuttuval (flexible sword).

Medieval literature also refers to these other weapons:

1. Ponti
2. Bow and arrow
3. Venmazhu(axe)
4. Kathuthala
5. Trisool (trident)

The use of massage in Kalarippayattu

Kalarippayyattu teachers often provide massages with traditional medicinal oils to their students in order to increase their physical flexibility or to treat muscle injuries encountered during practice. Such massages are generally termed Thirumal and the unique massage given to increase physical flexibility is known as Katcha thirumal.

Kalari marma treatment is as sophisticated as the uzhichil treatment of ayurveda. This system of marma treatment comes under Sidha Vaidhyam,whose origin is attributed to Sage Agasthya and his disciples.

Relation between Kalarippayattu and other performing arts in Kerala

Influence of Kalaripayattu can be seen in major classical art forms of Kerala, mainly Kathakali. Many of the traditional performing art forms of Kerala, like Kathakali, Kolkali, Velakali, etc., have drawn elements from Kalarippayattu during their stages of evolution. Kathakali has borrowed much from Kalarippayattu in its basic body preparative training of the actor not only in terms of technique in practice but also from the body massage for the trainee. Many of the body postures, choreography and foot work of the Kathakali characters are taken directly from Kalarippayattu.

References

Zarilli, P (1999). When the Body Becomes All Eyes: Paradigms, Discourses and Practices of Power in Kalarippayattu, a South Indian Martial Art (Hardcover). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195639405.

Zarrilli, P. (1992). "To heal and/or harm: The vital spots (marmmam/varmam) in two south Indian martial traditions--Part I: Focus on Kerala's kalarippayattu". Journal of Asian Martial Arts 1 (1)

Pillai, E.K. (1970). Studies in Kerala history. Kottayam: National Book Stall

Movies featuring Kalarippayattu

• Aromalunni
• Kannappanunni
• The Myth
• Oru Vadakkan Veera Gaatha
• Palattu Koman
• Thacholi Othenan
• Thacholi Marumakan Chanthu
• Unniyarcha
• The 19th Step

See also

• Arts of Kerala
• Indian martial arts

External links

• http://www.kalariworld.com
• http://www.kalarippayat.com
• http://www.kalaripayatt.plus.com
• http://www.keralaresidency.plus.com
• http://www.kalaripayatt.co.uk
• http://www.sticktoearth.co.uk
• http://www.udaan.co.uk
• http://www.cvnkalari.org
• http://www.kalaripayattu.org/
• http://narthaki.com/shaji_kalari/
• http://kalari-koeln.de/
• http://www.altaghat.com/kalari/
• http://www.kalary.com/ About the Kalari-Panicker Community in Kerala: Read This!
• http://www.artkerala.com/art_forms/kalaripayattu.asp
• http://www.ayurjeeva.com/kalari/index.htm
• AnyMartialArt.org Kalari-Payat Over view
• http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/kalarippayatu.htm
• http://www.vrmanoj.com/kalari.html What Kalari Payyattu Means To Me, Spiritually!
• Thamizhar Martial Arts