Martial Arts

The Indian state of Kerala is renowned for its varied martial arts. Amongst the many forms of martial arts of Kerala are Kalaripayattu, Parisa Kali, Velakanni, Valeru, Kunderu and Njaninmel Kali.


Kalaripayattu is one of the oldest martial arts in the world. The original martial art form evolved in north Kerala.Tradional kalari design is based on the ancient Vaasthu Shasthra. In Malayalam, Kalaripayattu means 'the fighting art of the Kalari'. In ancient Kerala, Kalari was a place of learning subjects such as medicine, philosophy, architecture, astrology and geometry, besides, combat arts and yoga. Translated into English, kalari means: the battlefield, and payat implies training in the art of combat.
Kalaripayattu practitioners are more than martial artists. They are also reputed to be excellent masseurs and bone doctors. In fact, Kalaripayattu is a recognized branch of Ayurveda, or Indian naturopathy. Historically, there is no doubt that ancient rajahs relied not only on the Kalaripayattu practitioners martial skills, but also on their abilities as healers and setters of bones. Note for instance how a rope is skillfully used to direct and control the exact amount of pressure applied by a Kalaripayattu practitioner to a patient's body.The technique is based on the science of yoga for its forms and exercises, and its medical treatments are based on the science of Ayurveda