Kalarippayattu

Kalarippayattu

Kalarippayattu (Malayalam കളരിപയറ്റ്,pronounced [kaɭəɾipːajətːɨ̆]) is a Dravidian martial art from Kerala in south India. Possibly one of the oldest fighting systems in existence, it is practiced in Kerala and contiguous parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as well as northeastern Sri Lanka and among the Malayalee community of Malaysia. The word is spelled variously as kalari payat, kalarippayatta, kalaripayatt and many others depending on the dialect and romanisation system used.



It includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods. Regional variants are classified according to geographical position in Kerala; these are the northern style, the southern style and the central style. Northern kalari payat is based on the principle of hard technique, while the southern style primarily follows the soft techniques, even though both systems make use of internal and external concepts.

Some of the choreographed sparring in kalari payat can be applied to dance and kathakali dancers who knew martial arts were believed to be markedly better than the other performers. Some traditional Indian dance schools still incorporate kalari payat as part of their exercise regimen.

History

Phillip Zarrilli, a professor at the University of Exeter and one of the few Western authorities on kalaripayattu, estimates that kalaripayattu dates back to at least the 12th century CE. The historian Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai attributes the birth of kalarippayattu to an extended period of warfare between the Cheras and the Cholas in the 11th century CE. From the 11th or 12th century the right and duty to practice the martial art in the service of a ruler was most associated with specific subgroups of Nairs; however, at least one subcaste of Brahmins, as well as some Christians and Muslims were given this right and duty.

In addition, a special subcaste of Ezhavas/Thiyyas called chekors were engaged to fight in ankam, public duels to the death to solve disputes between higher caste opposing parties. Among at least some Nair and Tiyya families, young girls also received preliminary training up until the onset of menses. We also know from the vadakkan pattukal ballads that at least a few women of noted Nair and Tiyya masters continued to practise and achieved a high degree of expertise. Ankam were fought on an ankathattu, a temporary platform, four to six feet high, purpose-built for ankam.

The earliest western account of this art is that of the Portuguese explorer Duarte Barbosa .

The more part of these Nayres when they are seven years of age are sent to schools where they are taught many tricks of nimbleness and dexterity; there they teach them to dance and turn about and to twist on the ground, to take royal leaps, and other leaps, and this they learn twice a day as long as they are children, and they become so loose-jointed and supple that they make them turn their bodies contrary to nature; and when they are fully accomplished in this, they teach them to play with the weapon to which they are most inclined, some with bows and arrows, some with poles to become spearmen, but most with swords and bucklers, which is most used among them, and in this fencing they are ever practising. The masters who teach them are called Panicals.

The writings of early colonial historians like Varthema, Logan and Whiteway shows that kalari payat was widely popular and well established with almost all people in Kerala transcending gender, caste and communal lines. It is said to have eventually become as prevalent as reading and writing. Kalari payat became more developed during the 9th century and was practiced by a section of the Nair community, warrior clan of Kerala, to defend the state and the king. The ancient warrior spirit was also retained throughout the centuries by the warrior chieftains of ancient Kerala known as the Mamanka Chekavar. The iconic Thacholi Othenan Kurup was elevated to heroic status in all of Kerala. The Lohar of north Kerala were Buddhist warriors who practiced kalaripayat.
Compiled using Wikipedia materials