Kalaripayattu

About Kalaripayattu:

• 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.
• It 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.