20/03/2017
Kalaripayattu, the Indian martial art from Kerala, is widely believed to be one of the oldest fighting systems. Matchless and magnificent, legends say Kalaripayattu originated from Lord Shiva.
The term kalaripayattu is formed from the words kalari in Malayalam which means school or gymnasium and payattu which is derived from payattuka meaning to “fight/exercise” or “to put hard work into”.
Kalaripayattu includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods. Although no longer used in sparring sessions, weapons are an important part of the martial art.
Regional variants are classified according to geographical position in Kerala and are primarily classified as northern style, the southern style and central style.
Kalarippayattu has also been celebrated in songs and movies too.