Kalaripayattu Martial Art
Kalaripayattu martial art is a very ancient martial art. It is believed to be the former version of Kung-fu & Karate. The “Kalari” means the temple of learning of Kalaripayattu martial art. Ancient traditions & customs are still trained inside the Kalari. The Gurukkal structure contains of precise physical training of Kalaripayattu martial art in addition to training in self-control. The weapons used in training of Kalaripayattu martial art were the short sticks, Sword, Shield, Spears, Dagger, etc. The management of the mind & body is given utmost importance in this Kalaripayattu martial art.
Kalaripayattu has originated in the earliest South
India region. “Kung- fu” art, which was made popular by monks of “Shoalin” (a holy place in China),
traces its ancestry to “Bodhi Dharma" an Indian ‘Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu martial art master.
The Kalaripayattu
martial art is taught in an enclosed space called 'Kalari'. The Kalari measures about 21x 42 feet, the entrance of which always faces towards east. The south-west corner will have a seven-tiered
platform called the "Poothara", which contain the guardian idol of
the Kalari. The 7 steps symbolize seven total abilities every person requires. The
Seven steps include Vakasta-purushu (the sound), Vigneswa (the Strength), Vishnu (commanding power), Channiga
(the patience), Kali (the
expression), Vadugashcha (posture) and Tadaaguru (training). Additional deities, most of them
incarnations of the Shiva or Bhagavathi, are placed in the corners.
The origin of the Kalaripayattu martial art:
Kalaripayattu martial
art is possibly the most prehistoric martial art in the globe. Religions
have integrated Kalaripayattu into their realm. The source of Kalaripayattu martial art is still in the middle of obscurity. Customary Kalari
masters feature mythological stories & myths to the source of the art.
Around 6th century A.D., martial arts are spread
from the Southern India region to China by Bodhi dharma – Kalaripayattu martial art
master & Indian Buddhist preacher. Then from China the martial arts are
spread to Japan & Korea. Kalaripayattu is derived from the words Kalari means
“battlefield, place, or a threshing floor ", & Payattu means to "the practice
or exercise in arms".
Kalaripayattu martial
art has powerfully influenced the growth of several of Kerala's dance and theater art forms, most importantly Theyyam & Kathakali. The Kathakali
practitioners are obligatory to be trained under Kalari masters to grow different
attributes such as flexibility, fitness and stamina through the martial actions enacted in their performance.
Kalari practitioners’ state that “Bodhi Dharma” who is a Buddhist monk, was accountable
for teaching the “Shaolin” monks in “Kung-fu” was actually a Kalaripayattu master.
Kalaripayattu martial art, not only
teach how to battle but also with additional aspects of physical well being. It
also offers total mental & emotional power to a person. Kalaripayattu is
spread over 3 stages such as Meippayatt (work out to organize
the body), Kolthari (combating with sticks), Ankathari (felicity
in using metal weapons like swords & daggers). There are 3 modes of
Kalaripayattu that are familiar in Kerala. They are Kathina yoga style ,
Vadakkan (the northern style) & Thekan (the southern style). The current
form of Kalari has existed ever since around 1500 years back. It is a blend of
art forms from both the Northern & Southern Kerala.
1 comments:
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