Kalaripayattu

Kalaripayattu is possibly the oldest Martial art still practiced in the world. This martial art form that originated in Kerala, India, derives its name from "Kalari" or the arena in which the combatants fight and "payattu" which means practice in Malayalam the language of Kerala. The fighting rink is the theatre where the disciple of Kalaripayattu displays his prowess. Nowadays Kalaripayattu is practiced more as fitness training and as a demonstration sport, which you can see on tours of Kerala with Kerala Backwater. In earlier times Kalaripayattu was practised as a fighting skill by the warriors in the armies of the Kings and warlords of Kerala. Often conflicts between courtiers and disputes between landlords in Kerala, were settled by bouts of Kalaripayattu.

Kalaripayattu is an art of combat, which combines the strength and flexibility of the body with the discipline and focus of the mind. Kalaripayattu is related to yoga and Ayurveda. The disciple of the martial art of Kalaripayattu does the smooth flowing exercises of yoga to flex his muscles before going on to practicing the more energetic fighting routines of Kalaripayattu. Massage with Ayurvedic oils is an important part of the Kalaripayattu routine.

There are two main forms of Kalaripayattu, which you can see on tours of Kerala. The Vadakkan form or the Northern Style and the Thekkan form or the southern style, differs in the speed and flow of their movements