Kalarippayattu is said to be one of the oldest traditional art coming down in the form of Guru Sisya parampara (Teacher - Student lineage). Some of the prominent Gurukkals who are instrumental in keeping this tradition alive are said to be Kottackal Kanaran Gurukkal, Chirackal Sreedharan Nair Gurukkal, C V Narayanan Nair Gurukkal, Pathriyil Gopalan Gurukkal, Chandappan Gurukkal and Vasavan Gurukkal. They were the great masters and propagators of Kalarippayattu. Mohd Sheriff Gurukkal of Kannur, Chandrasekharan Gurukkal of Ezhimala, Mohd Unni Gurukkal of Chavakkad, Valappil Karunan Gurukkal, Narayanan Gurukkal of Calicut, Haji N M Kutty Gurukkal of Palakkad, E P Vasudevan Gurukkal of Kaduthuruthy and Govindan Kutty NairGurukkal of Trivandrum are the renowned masters of the present day. Shaji K John, was trained by Shri E P Vasudevan Gurukkal, Kaduthuruthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          ART   HEALING   SELF DEFENCE

Kalarippayattu the vibrant traditional martial art, which is richly blended with its enriching heritage has been
a part of the History and Culture of Kerala from time immemorial. It is in Kerala that even today this art
form retains all its intrinsic qualities unaltered.

Kalarippayattu is considered as the 'Mother of all Martial Arts', its offshoots being marital forms like
Karate, Kun-Fu. Tai Chi, Silambam etc. Kalarippayattu, thus forms a holistic base for the performing
artists including Yoga practitioners. The influence of Kalarippayattu is evident in the indigenous forms of Kerala such as Kathakali, Kolkali, Teyyam, Poorakkali, Velakali etc. The basic movements to improve flexibility in kalarippayattu are similar to certain Karanas as described in Bharata's Natya Sastra. Patanjali's Yoga Abhyasa forms a part of Kalarippayattu training. Kalarippayattu is suitable to anyone who is aware
of the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind. This martial art boosts the energy and zeal of sportsmen, performing artists etc. The aim of Kalari is to qualify one overall, whose presence will benefit the family and society.

Origin of Kalarippayattu

Kalarippayattu's origin in Kerala is traced back to the Mythological incident of the 6th avatar of Vishnu, Parashurama. Parashurama created the land now called Kerala by throwing his axe into the heaving sea, the water receded and the land of Kerala emerged. In order to protect the land and its people He is said to have introduced this unique form of martial training. According to 'Keralotpatti', the traditional chronicle of Kerala, Parashurama initiated 108 Kalaris and donated swords to 36,000 Brahmins. Puranas says that basically Kalarippayattu was established as a strict social order.

The earliest record of defense mechanism is said to be in Dhanurveda. Dhanurveda deals with the different varieties of weapons and arms. It is one of the four upavedas namely Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Sthapathyaveda and Gandharvaveda. Dhanurveda is an upaveda of Yajurveda. Yajurvedasyopavedah dhanurveda udaahritah. Dhanurveda mentions many of the weapons employed by the Kalarippayattu practitioner. For instance, the seven types of fighting that a warrior should practice and achieve proficiency in, according to the Dhanurveda are:

· Archery
· Discus
· Spear
· Sword & Shield
· Dagger
· Club
· Empty-handed

Such practices are still adapted by the Kalarippayattu trainees even today. Research show that the prevalent style evolved during 12th century and evidences prove that Kalarippayattu was in practice at least a 1000 years.


Shri E P Vasudevan Gurukkal