Origin of Kalaripayattu

The origin and evolution of every traditional art form of India can be traced back to the Vedic period and beyond. The legends say that yoga, classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and martial traditions like Kalarippayattu evolved from Lord Shiva. From the war dance or Samhara Thandava of Lord Shiva evolved the martial traditions of India. Sage Parasurama who retrieved the land of Kerala from the sea was a disciple of Lord Shiva and Parasurama learned all of the martial techniques and the use of divine weapons from Him.

Parasurama established temples, towns, Vedic schools and most importantly 64 kalaris or gymnasiums throughout the length and breadth of the virgin land Kerala. He entrusted each kalari to a specific family of warriors and taught them the secrets of the art of divine warfare which in the course of time became to be known as Kalarippayattu - kalari means training center and payattu means warfare or fight.

Kalarippayattu is composed of two of the 64art forms of ancient India namely Vijaya and Vyayma. These translated to English mean the art of winning wars and the art of exercises. It involves fast and furious movements of limbs and elaborate steps with the aim of vanquishing the enemy.

Training in kalarippayatt is given in specially constructed ground known as the kalari and is treated as the temple of learning. Teacher is known as kalari gurukkal meaning master and is revered as the living embodiment of the long line of Guru’s. Inside the Kalari religious worship with its own rituals is done to preserve the sanctity of the place.

Slowly Kalarippayattu evolved into the three distinct styles that we can see at present. These are:
· The Thekkan (southern style)
· The Vadakkan (northern style) and

· The very rare and almost extinct Kathinayoga style (yogic style).

Weapons of Kalarippayattu

It incorporates strikes, kicks, grappling, and weaponry, as well as healing techniques. Some of its choreographed sparring can be applied to dance.
Pirambu/Neduvati/Kettukari/Shareeravadi (Long Staff)
Kurunthadi/Cheruvadi/Muchhan (Medium Stick)
Kottukampu/Thavikkana (Long Stick)
Urumi/Chuttuval (Flexible Sword)
Kuruvadi (Short Stick)
Otta (Curved Stick)
Gadha (club/mace)
Kattari

Knife/Dagger

Vettukathi
Machete/Kukri

Churika/Kadhara
Short Sword

Val
Long Sword

Paricha

Round Shield

Kuntham

Spear

View video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJB8Qfz4NoM