Kalaripayatt

History & Background

Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest martial art forms in the world; often referred to as “the Mother of all Martial Arts,” Kalaripayatt is believed to have originated in the Southern parts of India over 4000 years ago. According to legend, Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, learned Kalaripayatt from Shiva, and taught it to the original settlers of Kerala shortly after bringing Kerala up from the ocean floor. Bodhiddharma, a legendary Buddhist monk who trained in Kalaripayatt, is said to have traveled from Kerala to China, thus resulting in Kalaripayatt branching out to other martial practices such as Kung Fu. Kalaripayatt is still considered an underground practice, and many parts of the practice remain a secret; however, slowly, Kalaripayatt has started to become more well-known in other parts of India as well as internationally. Kalaripayatt flourished its combat-techniques in the 11th-12th century, with weapons and combative techniques that are unique to Kerala. The word Kalaripayatt is a combination of two Malayalam words - kalari (training ground or battleground) and payatt (training of martial arts), which is roughly translated as "practice in the arts of the battlefield"

The Guru/Gurukkal is the chief mentor / trainer of Kalaripayyatt. The learning process starts and continues through the bond between the disciple and the teacher. The Guru is the one who shares, teaches and represents the entire system and practice of Kalaripayatt to their student; as such, a trustworthy and compassionate bond between Guru and student is essential in order to accomplish proper training in Kalari. Kalaripayattu is also used by practitioners of Keralite dance and ritual forms, such as Kathakali and Theyyam, as part of their training regiments, as the practice has proven to be extremely beneficial in training theatre and movement artists

Benefits of Kalaripayatt Practice:

Kalaripayatt provides a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses an individual’s physical, mental, and spiritual aspects, while also teaching the art of peaceful co-existence.

Ayurveda and a deep knowledge and understanding of Ayurveda is also an important part of Kalaripayatt. For ancient warriors, knowing what herbs to use to treat injuries was essential and Kalaripayatt Gurus and Masters continue to play the dual role of teachers and healers. This knowledge continues to be used in Kalaripayatt Gurukulam, where herbal medicine is given as part of the Kalari Chikitsa treatment.

Regular training and practice in Kalaripayatt helps develop both mental and physical strength. Being a martial form, the benefits of this practice go much deeper than physical practice - developing greater focus, concentration and clear-mindedness. Physically the practice supports in building stamina, flexibility, strength and a greater awareness of alignment in the body, particularly the spine.

Unlike many other martial art practices, Kalaripayatt may not be considered as a regular attack and defense / self defense or combative practice. Kalaripayatt is a meditative and spiritual practice that has also developed itself as a performance art. The movements are artistic and the attacks and defense strategies are hidden in many layers of these movements. In many martial practices, students may be taught hand-to-hand combat techniques, or how to work with a weapon right away. In traditional training of Kalaripayatt, students go through a rigorous process of learning the fundamentals of the practice up to Meipayatt (body control sequence) before they begin working with weapons and are taught hand-to-hand combat.

The Progression & Training System of Kalaripayatt:

Stage 1 - Body movements (Meipayatt)

Before the student starts working with weapons and other intricate attack movements, the body must be well-developed. In the initial stages of their training, students go through deep practice of body movements that include all the basics required for their further enhancement in Kalaripayatt.

This includes basic warm-up exercises and steps for attack (Chuvadu), animal postures (Vadivu), leg swings and exercises (Kaalgal) and full sequence of body movement (Meipayatt). The student may then progress to the next stages of practice

Stage 2 - Kolthari

Practicing with wooden weapons (including Vadi - long stick, Cheruvadi - short stick, and Ottakol - curved stick, Gada - mace, Kundam - spear)

Stage 3 - Ankathari

Practicing with metal weapons (Val and Paricha - sword and shield, Katar - dagger, Urumi - flexible sword)

Stage 4 - Verum Kai

Bare hand fighting techniques

Kalaripayatt at
Stance Dance Studio:

Stance Dance Studio has advocated for and taught the tradition of Kalaripayatt since 2016, under the guidance of Guru Vinod Kadangal. We are trained in and teach the Vadakkan (Northern) style of Kalaripayatt, of the lineage of Hindustan Kalari Sangam and KalariGram.

Hindustan Kalari Sangam was established in 1950, under the patronage of Guru Veerasree Sami Gurukkal.