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Kalaripayattu, the martial art of Kerala is famed as the oldest existing and also the most scientific of its kind of martial art in the world. This martial art form finds back its root around 2000 years ago, that was way back before the seeds of any other martial art form were sown. It is said that during his visit to India, Bodhisharma, a Buddhist monk, got largely impressed by Kalaripayattu and this when he founded the Chinese martial art form.

 

The history of martial art of Kerala can be traced back to the Dhanur Vedic texts. There are even references about it in the Vishnu Purana. Kalaripayattu is a combination of 2 Malayalam words- ‘Kalari’ and ‘Payattu’. The word Kalari means a school or a gymnasium and the word Payattu means to fight or exercise.

 

In the ancient times, Kalaris were actually training schools where the students were taught the skills of this martial art. If legends of the Hindu mythology are to be believed then the founder of Kerala, Parashurama, who was also the founder of Kalaripayattu, had established Kalaris to impart training.

 

According to the philosophy of the Kalari education, the training in martial art starts with an oil massage of the body till the time the body becomes alert and flexible. This massage is followed by teaching feats like marichil (somersault), ottam (running), chaattom (jumping), and more. Thereafter, there are lessons on how to use various kinds of weapons like maces, spears, bow and arrow, swords and daggers etc.

 

The prime aim of Kalaripayattu is a perfect synchronization between the mind and the body. The training in these schools involves a specialization in native medical practices as well. For the students, Kalaris are not only their schools but are like centers of religious worship. According to the guidelines, once a person finishes his Kalaripayattu training, he should follow the ritual of oil massage and practicing his feats on a regular basis so that he stays in complete touch with it.



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