The mother of all martial arts Kalaripayattu is a 3000-year old art form, originated in South India. Bodhi Dharma was an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master, he founded Kung-fu. Kung-fu was later popularized by monks of the Shaoline Temple in China. Kalaripayattu is the oldest fighting system in existence. It includes kicks, weaponry, healing, grappling, strikes and preset forms. The original style was practiced in Kerala primarily by the believers of Shaivism and Buddhism. Some of its flexibility training methods of Kalaripayattu can be seen in Kerala’s dance forms.
In Thekkady’s Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, this martial art is performed in Kuzhikalari. The audience can witness the grace and strength of this martial-art from a safe distance and clear visibility.
