Warriors Of Peace

KALARI PAYATTU - WARRIORS OF PEACE

There are different paths to Spirituality and Awareness. Martial Arts
are the physical activity, which blends mind and body in perfect
synchrony and procreates a high degree of positive energy. The learner in the
beginning fights the enemy or combats with an excellence that raises
his levels of confidence. As he progresses a more lethal combat is fought
with the enemies lurking in his mind akin to greed, lust, ego,
selfishness etc and translates these emotions to altruistic giving, compassion
and healing.

Kalari Payattu is the oldest Martial Art of the World. Kalari
translates to Gymnasium and Payattu, Martial Arts.  In the Classical literary
works of Dhanur Veda, Agni Puranam, Natya Shastra, Hasthangastham and
Srakraneeti mention that Sage Parasurama after creating Kerala from the
Ocean, taught  his twenty-one disciples this graceful lethal Art  to
protect and maintain peace in the land. Legend from antiquity asserts that
Lord Shiva and Shakthi taught the Northern Style (Thekkan) to two
disciples who later opened manifold Kalaris and promulgated this technique
in Kerala. Maharishi Agasthya created the Vadakkan style (Southern
Style). Kalari flourished up to the 18th Century. 

When  British ruled India they banned Kalari, and probably was because of dexterous  feats and
fighting skills accomplished by the proficient. The Art was practiced in
secrecy and thankfully survived a definite extinction for the only
reason, that few sincerely interested Warriors and Gurus taught and kept it
alive. Today hordes of people come to Kerala and learn Kalari Payattu ,
the Mother of all Martial Arts.

Around 520 AD Bodhi Dharma came from China to learn the Eight Fold path
of Buddhism from Kerala. Fascinated by Kalari Payattu he took with him
over hundred  experts back to the Shaolin Temple in China. The Art Form
that evolved through Kalari Payattu became Kung Fu.

The Architecture of Kalari is as unique as the Martial Art. It is built
three feet below ground level, and usually an area of 18, 32, 43 or 52
feet in length from East to West and width exactly half from North to
South. There are five styles of Kalari and are Kurum Kalari meant for
guerrilla training, Anka Kalari for duels, Cheru Kalari intended for
healing and treatment, Kodum Kalari designed for meditation and teaching
the Science of Marmam (Vital Nerve Centers) and Kuzhi Kalari for training
and practicing.

A three feet wall is built all around the Kalari and a thatched roof of
bamboo and coconut leaves cover it. The floor and walls are made of mud
and beaten to make it smooth and level. The floor is subsequently
disinfected with herbs; different kinds of oils and natural pigments to
protect the bare body of the Martial Artist, and is then made slippery by
applying oil made from the leaves of Kulir Maavu, which increases
footwork ability and abdominal power.

The entrance is in center of the Eastern wall having three steps
leading down. The Poothara or a seven-tiered conical shaped structure in the
Southwest corner symbolizes the subtle and gross aspects of self and
the Universe. The important zones inside the Kalari are determined
through Vaasthu Shasthra. A flower or lamp is placed on top of Poothara and
is the focus point for eye exercises and concentration. This area is
known as Trataka. On the right are smaller platforms representing seats of
earlier Teachers (Guru Thara) and Ganapathi Thara, where Lord Ganesha
is propitiated for positive thinking. 

All weapons are kept on the Western side and Gurukkal stands here when teaching facing east. No exercises
are done either North or South. and according  to Yoga and Ayurveda the
magnetic fields in South and North have detrimental properties.

Two main styles of Kalari Payattu found within Kerala are Northern
(Vadakkan) and Southern (Thekkan). Parasurama taught Thekkan style and
Maharishi Agasthya, Vadakkan style. The other styles are Dronapalli,
Odimurisseri, Valla Batta, Madhya Keralam, Kadathanadan, Thulunadhan,
Pillathangi, and Malanadan etc.

Instruction in all styles commences by massaging the novice with
medicinal oils to improve litheness and endurance. The student's body is
smeared with medicated oil and the guru massages it with his feet to make
the body and muscles supple. Three forms of massage or Uzhichal are
practiced in Kalari.  Sukha Thirummu for physical comfort and relaxation,
Raksha Thirummu to increase body resistance, with specially prepared
Ayurvedic herbal oils and Katcha Thirummu, for flexibility of the body.
The student wears a cloth Mundu (Dhoti) called Katcha, which supports the
central muscles of the body. One end of this cloth is tied to a pillar
or coconut tree and the learner begins to wind him self into it with
elaborates series of movements called Katcha Kettal. 

The student begins his training by offering obeisance to Goddess. This is done in a war
dance ritual called Poothara Thozal, where the student salutes the lamp
lit Poothara and performs Vandhanam in a crouched cat stance with the
hands moving in a circular motion. The eyes are focused at a single point
on the Poothara to improve vision and concentration . Every move is
done with grace and synchronized breathing. The next aspect is Kalari
salutation and are five yogic postures done in motion to instill body and
mind coordination.

Other aspects of training are twelve leg movements (Kaal Ettuppu).
After a certain stage flexibility achieved are immense and the legs become
weapons of defense, offence and healing. Legend from antiquity asserts
that Lord Shiva and Shakthi taught Northern Style to two disciples who
later opened manifold Kalaris and promulgated this technique in Kerala.
Shiva,s style is known as Pillai Thangi and are aggressive with linear
movements and represents the male form. Shakthi Swaroopa or Arapu Kai
have subtle, more circular and symbolizes feminity. Great emphasis is
given to spontaneous and graceful body movements during combat in this
style. Meythari are 12 movements, which include twists, turns, leaps and
stances. With theses callisthenic’s maximum body- flexibility is
achieved and difficult feats with weapons are wielded. The learner learns
various leg-stretching exercises and several sequences of body exercises,
which help in balance, body posture jumps. 

Training with weapons made of wood (Kolathiri) like long stick, short stick and curved stick (Otta)
are also given. Kol means stick. Otta combat is very graceful and needs
a lot of practice. This S shaped two feet stick with a knob at the end
is made out of tamarind tree and experienced fighters will use the
stick to hit the Marmam or vital nerve points of opponents. Training is
given with long canes; short wooden sticks and specially designed wooden
weapons and maces. Practice with mace increases strength and judgment.
The third phase of training is called Ankathari. The word Ankom mean
combat.  Sharp edged weapons (Angathari) are taught and include dagger,
sword and shield, spear and perhaps found only in this Martial Art, the
different and deadly flexible sword, the Urumi. 

This razor-sharp sword with a flexible blade when twirled correctly becomes a lethal weapon and
produces a most terrifying sound.  The next stage of unarmed combat is
called Verumkai   Prayogam or barehanded fight. Techniques like
Kathiyum Thalayum (where attacks with a knife are defended with a piece of
cloth) are also taught at this stage.

Puliyankam or sword fight is the ability to wield the weapon as an
extension of the body with perfection and experience. Puliyankam mean the
duel of Tigers having stealth and grace.
Unarmed combat (Verum Kai) , incantations, concentration and Kalari
Chikilsa (Medicine and Treatment) are the other aspects of this style.

Southern Kalari gives more prominence to unarmed combat (Verum Kai).
Movements are performed on a cross and square diagram drawn on the floor.
There is Siddha influence both in Yoga and Medicine in this style. This
style has 64 Adimura (Blows and Holds). Thattumura, Pidimura, Marmamura
and Marma Adi are the other unarmed combat techniques. Kicking is an
integral facet of this discipline. There are 84 different techniques in
kicking and are Ankachery Chavuthu (16), Balivazhi Chavuthu (18)
Ankamvettu Chavathu (12), Nalani (16), Karinada Chavathu (8), Cheena Adhi (6
Drunken Style) and Thattu Marma Chavathu (8).

The Gurukkal or Gurunathan (Teacher) is the most revered person in the
Kalari. The disciple offers his mind, body and soul and the Gurukkal
moulds and creates the perfect warrior of peace who expels negativity and
harmonizes positive vibrations.

The Teacher should have purity in mind and should be without politics,
religion, caste etc to edify the trueness of this ancient Martial Art.
He should also be an expert in Ayurvedic Marma treatment.

Marmas are vital points in the body. This ancient treatment cures
sprains, dislocated joints, fractures, back pains, rheumatism, sciatica,
lumbago, anxiety, depression, insomnia, obesity, arthritis and paralysis
etc

Many classical folk art forms of Kerala, especially Kathakali dancers
learn the basics of this Art to increase endurance and flexibility.
Aromal Chekavar and Thacholi Othenan, who lived in Kerala in 18th
century, are great Kalari Payattu Legends. At the same time lived Unniarcha,
a lady exponent of this art. Even today farmers while harvesting the
lands sing Vadakkan Patthu (Folk Ballads), which are based on the heroic
combats and adventures of these great warriors.

Naveen Chandran. R