Kerala’s Martial Art Kalaripayattu is Thrilling

The martial art whose origin lies in Kerala is Kalaripayattu. The kalari word was first seen in the Tamil Sangal literature. The word is used to describe both a battlefield and combat area. It was necessary for the warriors of Sangam era that they receive regular military training. It is known to be the oldest and still surviving fighting or defensive systems in world.

Originally, it was practiced in the northern and central parts of Kerala and southern parts of Tamil Nadu. The word kalari tatt is known as martial feat and kalari kozhai is known as Coward in a war. There are three forms of Kalaripayattu. All the three forms are differentiated by their attacking and defensive patterns. These are Arappa kayy, Pilla Thangi and Vatta thiripp. The forefathers of kalari are Chekavar warrior section within Thiyya community. The revival of kalaripayattu began in 1920s in Thallassery. The revival started as a wave of rediscovery of the traditional arts in South India.

The martial art Kalaripayattu has been featured in movies like Ondanondu Kaladalli(Kannada) (1978), Asoka (2001), The Myth (2005), The Last Legion (2007), Manasara (2010), Urumi (film) (2011), Commando (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Baaghi (2016), Veeram (2016 film).

By: Bhavna Sharma

Content: wikipedia