28/08/2026
SIMHA VADIVU | WHY ARE THE HANDS HELD THIS WAY?
In Simha Vadivu, the hands are not simply placed in front of the body.
They are crossed in a very particular configuration, with the palms oriented outward.
But why?
What changes when the same crossed position is rotated so that the palms face inward?
Is this simply a traditional form?
Or could there be a deeper reason behind the way the Gurukkals positioned the hands?
Kalaripayattu's Vadivu system connects stance with movement, attack and defence, and different traditions preserve variations in how these forms are expressed.
We're not going to give you the answer in this reel.
We want to hear what has been passed down in your Kalari.
What did your Gurukkal teach you about the hands in Simha Vadivu?
Tell us in the comments.
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VAJRAKAYA KALARI SHALE
The Science of Kalaripayattu
Exploring traditional Kalaripayattu through movement, biomechanics, combat application and the knowledge carried through the Gurukkal tradition.
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