THE HOLISTIC MARTIAL TRADITION OF KERALA

THE HOLISTIC MARTIAL TRADITION OF KERALA
Kerala is a beautiful stretch of land in the southern most part of India, entitled as ‘Gods own country’ in the tourism map of the land. The state of Kerala has made rich and varied contributions to the topmost being Kathakali and Kalarippayattu.
kalarippayattu is the age-old physical cum-martial art of kerala. There is no other ancient martial practice in the country to compete with its training system and application techniques, compiled by the Great Gurus or Masters of the land. It has a continuity over centuries and is based on the ideal of a sound mind in a sound body. Kalarippayattu is a rare combination of martial training , physical culture, self- defence practice and physiotherapic treatment. It has a high reputation as an art with highly developed body language and expression.
There are three major schools in Kalarippayattu called vadakkan or Northern style Madhya Kerala style (middle)and Thekkan or Southern style. According to tradition the Vadakkan style originated from the mythological parasurama, the creator of Kerala. The thekkan style is indebted to the great saint Agasthya. Recent research studies have proved that Kalarippayattu was evolved during the early centuries of Christian era as a fighting technique of warriors. In course of time it was systematized and developed into a scientific way of weapon training and physical culture. In olden bays it was imparted through Gurukula system (residential school), where student stayed with their Guru from they become experts. Kalarippayattu was an integral part of the socio-political system of medieval period in Kerala, as the ruling principalities and chieftain families maintained military group of their own.
The place where Kalarippayattu is imparted is called kalari, a revered area in par with the sanctum sanctorum of a temple. But there is no the religion, caste or sex barrier to the practitioner. There are two types of kalaries Viz Kuzhi Kalari and Nila Kalari. Kuzhi is a dugout space with a specific length and breadth. Nila Kalari is a place set apart by walls or some partitioning materials. There are some sacred structures within the kalari called poothara and Guruthara. The Kalari master is known as Gurukkal or Panicker. The daily proceeding of the Kalari begins with lighting of the traditional lamp called Kalari Vilakku or Bhadra deepam and blowing of the divine touch.
Kalari training is holistic in nature. It includes physical training or Meippayattu, wooden and metal weapons training called Kolthari and Ankathari and the unarmed techniques or Verum kaiprayogam. Apart from this, treatment systems like kalari Chikilsa and marma Chikilsa are also tought as part and parcel of the training.
Kalari Chikilsa is a form of treatment developed for injuries that occur during the training and practice. Massaging with hands and massaging with feet using medicated oils are the main process of Kalari Chikilsa. This is mainly meant for settings of broken and management of wounds and ache.
marma chikilsa is an allied form of treatment developed by great Gurus for the injuries on vital points. This type of Marma Chikilsa relieves injuries on vital points very fast and it is one of the most valid wordly accepted type of treatment or vital spots.