Kalarippayattu - North Kerala Style

Kalarippayattu-North Kerala Style

[This site on Kalarippayattu is brought to you by Naturemagics in association with C.V.N Kalari (Kottayam, Kollam) ]

Preface

Kalarippayattu the original martial art of Kerala had its origin from the “Dhanur Veda”. Parasurama one of the ten incarnations of the Lord Mahavishnu learned the lessons of this martial art from none other than Lord Shiva. Parasurama a great supporter of the Brahmins taught this techniques to four Brahmin families namely Ugramvelly, Dhronamvelly, Khoramvelly, and Ullur Thuruthiyodu for protecting this divine land of kerala.

These families passed this art of 21 masters and sent them to different parts of the country with the intention to starting schools for the teaching of this great form of martial art. The students of these schools were pledged to dedicate their service to the country in case of emergency. The then kings recruited their army personnel from kalari schools. As per old sayings and the folk lore sung by “Pana” people ( the old caste people who made a living by singing ballads of ancient heroes) the people of Kerala without distinction of caste difference took part in kalari education.

One of the publications of BBC has stated that “Kalarippayattu; the traditional martial art of Kerala, in South India is considered as the “MOTHER ART’ of all other martial arts like karate and kung-fu” It was under the British rule this art suffered a setback. The British were terrorized seeing the physical flexibility and strength, speed, and striking power of the kalari fighters. They banned kalari training, confiscated the kalari schools, and murdered the kalari trainees without mercy. This sort of repression, limited the popularity of kalari and it got limited in to few who dared take the risk of government repression and were extremely dedicated to this form of art. [ They kept this art alive by practising secretly with weapons made of cane in the dark of the night ]

It was by the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century the situation began to improve. The credit for this change goes to “Vandya Sri Kottackal Kanaran Gurukkal and “Veera Sri CV Narayanan Nair Gurukkal”, who imparted new life to the Kalari arts. They Took pains to prepare a curriculum by consolidating the existing techniques available at that time enriched it with techniques they acquired by their vast experience. It their great sacrifices responsible for the creation of the “CVN” kalaris which has spread its wings throughout Kerala.

The technical aspect

There are seven fighting methods described in the “Vasishta Samhita” (methods of martial arts formulated by the great saint Vasishta). The kalarippayattu has adopted only five out of the total seven methods. The martial art by name kalari can be mainly divided in to two, kalarippayattu (the fighting techniques) and the kalari chikitsa (the healing methods).

Kalarippayattu

The learning of kalarippayattu can further divided in to four.

1. Meythari (Physical methods of fighting)

2. Kolthari (fighting with a round stick)

3. Ankathari (fighting with weapons-knife, sword, churika (a flexible sword)

4. Verum kai mura (fighting with bare hand)

Meythari

The beginning of learning this art starts with “leg techniques” (kal prauogam)

There are 24 types of leg techniques 4 steps “chuvadukal” and 8 postures (vadivukal)

1(elephant (gajam) 2.lion (simham). 3. Wild Boar (varaham) 4.horse. (ashwam) 5. cat (marjaram) 6. fish (matsyam) 7. Cobra (sarpam) 8. cock (kukkudam)

These postures are the techniques for offence and defense.

The physical fighting methods (mey payattu)prepared in 24 different methods including leg fights, steps, postures, jumps somersaults etc is the exclusivity of the North Kerala style. These scientifically prepared physical exercises and postures enhance the compatibility, flexibility of the body, firm footedness and self confidence of the trainee. One who has mastered these methods will not find it difficult to defend himself from any adverse conditions.

After gaining sufficient expertise in physical techniques he will be promoted to the next session “kolthari” baton fight. Weapons used in this fights are made out of wood.

Kolthari

1. Kettukari. A cane’s stick of 6 feet length. ( basic training for using Spear )

2. Mutchan. A cudgel (3 span stick) made out of the core of tamarind wood. ( Expert can make 120 -130 blows / minute )

3. Ottakkol. A weapon in the shape of the elephant’s trunk, made out of tamarind root wood.

The training in kettukari and mutchan methods enhances the concentration and speed of the trainee and helps him to build efficiency in handling of fatal weapons . “Ottakkol” is a weapon that comes of use in applying all the 18 techniques ( adavu) of the kalari. All other weapons are fit for use of 12 adavu at the maximum. Several years’ rigorous training is required to gain mastership in using this weapon as it is capable of inflicting fatal injuries to the vital parts (these vital parts are known as “marmams” of the opponent’s body.

Ankathari (Weapon fight)

Those who have gained sufficient expertise in baton fight alone are admitted to be trained for this fight as metallic weapons which would be fatal if improperly used come in this fight.

1. Dagger (Kataram)

2. Mace (Gada)

3. Sword and shield (Valum - Parichayum)

4. Personal sword (Udaval)

5. Spear (Kuntham)

6. Urumi (a flexible sword)

7. Knife and thala

Training is imparted to use up to 12 different fighting methods in each weapon. There are training methods in ankatahri (weapon fight) where opponents use different weapons for Ex. 'Maraparicha Kuntham' in which they are trained to face a man wielding sword and shield with a spear.

Bare hand methods (verum kai)

This is the final lesson in the curriculum of kalarippayattu training and contains some very secret methods not revealed beginners or outsiders for fear of misuse. It contains the fatal techniques that can be applied with bare hands on an opponent who wields dangerous weapons. As the applications of this method is based on striking on the vital parts (marmams) of the opponent the gurus generally reveal this only to very confident disciples on the pledge of not to misuse it.

Kalari Chikitsa (healing methods as per kalari)

This process of healing techniques adopted by kalari gurukkal is intended to cure the physical injuries which occur during practices like fractures, wounds, injuries to vital parts etc. Kalari healing is also a part of the curriculum.

Various types of massagings like “sukha thirummu”(massage for relief), reksha thirummu (healing massage), chavitti thirummu(massage done by bare feet), various types of “kizhi applications” kizhi is a cotton pouch in which various medicines mixed with oil are enclosed in slightly warm temperature. The kizhi is rubbed in to the body parts (the affected parts in particular). The oil mixed with medicines seep out and get absorbed in to the body of the patient. This type of treatment is gaining wide popularity now a day.

Kalari

The word kalari means the place where kalarippayattu is taught. The kalari is built in East- West direction, 42 feet in length and 21 feet in breadth. All four sides are closed with a single entrance in the eastern side. The student who enters the kalari first touch the ground with respect and stand with folded hands, pray to the gods of kalari Touch the feet of the gurukkal fold hand and start his education. The student stands facing west ward. The position of the guru is west and that of the disciple is east.

The student salutes (touching the feet and stand before with folded hands) the guru at the end of the day’s training and leaving the kalari. In a kalari the word of the guru is the final word. After the rigorous training of 12 years, the guru awards the status of “guru” to a disciple. Now he becomes eligible to start a kalari and educate trainees for this martial arts.

The prolonged period of British rule has done much damage to this art, as they banned this art. This ban has caused several methods to become lost due to non functioning of kalaris. The remaining methods itself require 12 years of hard training give an idea that originally how wide and deep these methods were. Yet an overall knowledge about kalari can be gained with putting some efforts for a short period of six months.

About the Author

The above given article is a translation of the article prepared by Sri Brejesh Gurukkal a disciple of Yogacharya Sri Malabar P Vasudeva Gurukkal of “National Physical Health Center- CVN Kalari” Sri Brejesh gurukkal joined the CVN Kalari in 1986 and completed his prolonged training for 12 years under P. Vasudeva Gurukkal and his son P.V. Sivakumar Gurukkal. He was awarded with the title of “guru” on 1999 Vijaya dasami day.

Sri Brijesh gurukkal has won many awards for his performances under “The Kerala Kalarppayttu Assocition”. Three of his collogues who received the “guru” title along with him are conducting kalaris in various parts of Kottayam district.

The author who is at present serving the “Kerala Police Academy” had been engaged in imparting training to students in Kalarippayattu and Yoga. He had to leave the teacher’s job for joining the Police force. Even now Sri Brejesh gurukkal is happy in finding time to help students of this art to excel in the field with necessary helps. Kalarippayattu is now considered as a vital part of Police Training in Kerala and the first legal clas started on July the sixth 2006. Sadly Sri Vasudevan Gurukkal who was the source of inspiration for Brejesh to join the police force and to popularise kalarippayattu there passed away on Jun 23 rd 2005. We dedicate this site to this great Guru of all times.

C.V.N Kalari

Web - www.sivam.in

Branches - North cliff Varkala and Kollam

Phone - 09387323242, 009109446906365, 009109349592000.