Dress

The trainees used to ear a particular dress or clothing called the ' kacha'. The kacha is a long strip of cloth .There is a method for wearing the kacha .Wearing the kacha during practice session provides tautness to the hips and the abdomen and enhances the agility of movements and leaps.

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CVN KALARI,
CALICUT.

&

HINDUSTAN KALARI SANGAM,
CALICUT

Weapons

Waepons are an important part of kalaripayatt.This is especially true for the northern styles which are mostly weapon based.The main weapons are bow & arrow, axe, stick, long stick, exible sword,short stick, curved stick, mace/ club, dagger/knife, machete, short sword, long sword, buckler, spear etc.

Mey payattu

The word Mey payattu means ' body exercises' . Before starting practice in the meypayattu the trainee has to get himself acquainted with certain basic exercises for the legs and very difficult movements utilizing all parts of the body and also in various types of leaps and jumps.

All these 4 chuvadukal are thoroughly practiced first as they have generally to be used in all the exercises in kalaripayattu , both in Mey payattu and in the PAYATTU USING WEAPONS.Vadivukal in oreder to get more force and effectiveness in action, the body is to be positioned in a suitable manner.

Vadivukal are parcticing for achieving grater force and effectiveness in attacking .Mastery in different helps to increase the effectiveness of these moves for attacks or defence and is , therefore , fundamental to achieving mastery in kalaripayattu

CHUVADUKAL & VADIVUKAL

The basic skill in the training of kalaripayattu is the practice to achieve certain poses known as Chuvadukal.Basically , the chuvadukal are divided into two.They are Aakkachuvadu & Neekkachuvadu.Taking a firm pose by firmly positioning the feet on the ground is called Aakkachuvau.The positioning for a leap or for a careful move so as to avoid an onslaught or for making sudden move backward etc is called Neekkachuvadu.

These two types of Chuvadu are again classified into 4 Vatta kal chuvau, Neetta kaal chuvadu, Kone kaal chuvadu, Otta kaal chuvadu.

Kalaripayattu techniques

Techniques [ atavu] in kalaripayattu are a combination of steps [ chuvadu] and stances [ vadivu].There are 5 steps and northern styles have 10 postures[ ashta vadivukal] .Each stance has its own power combination , function and set of techniques.All the eight postures are based on animals.1] elephant stance, 2] lion , 3] horse, 4]boar, 5] snake, 6]cat, 7] rooster, 8] fish, 9] peacock.

The steps are the 1] circular steps, 2] inside, 3] moving, 4] corner, 5] single leg steps.

While practicing the various exercises for physical control, the trainee has to move from one end of the kalari to the other and back length wise.For any movement the trainee has to stand first at the eastern end facing the west and then move to the western end doing the exercises.When he reaches the western end , he will turn back facing the east and reapeat the exercise necessary, till he reaches the eastern end. There again, he will turn back facing the west.In this way ,the exercises will go over and over again.

4]VERUMKAI , Only after acheiving mastery with all the weapon forms is the practitioner taught to defend themselves with bare handed techniques.These include arm locks, grappling & strikes to the pressure points.This is considered the most advanced martial skill so the master resticts knowledge of pressure points only to very few trusted students.

3] ANKATHARI In which both opponents are armed with chuttuval & paricha.Once the practitioner has become proficient with all the wooden weapons , he / she proceeds to ankathari with starting with metal weapons.

The first weapon taught is the Kadhara, a metal dagger with a curved blade.The next weapon is the sword [ val] and shield [ paricha] , subsequent weapons include the spear [ kuntham], trident [ trisool] and axe [ venmazhu] , usually the last weapon is the flexible sword [ urumi] .

2]KOLTHARI , Once the student has become physically competent, they are introduced to fighting with long wooden weapons. The first weapon taught is the staff , which is usually 5 feet in length or up to the forerhead of the student from ground level.The second weapon taught is the cheruvadi , a wooden stick three palm spans long, about two and half feet long or 75 cm. The third weapon taught is the otta, a wooden stck curved to resemble the trunk of an elephant .Otta training consists of 18 sequences.

Training stages

Training ismanily divided into 4 parts consisting of Meithari, Kolthari, Ankathari & Verumkai. 1] MEITHARI , It is the begining stage with rigorous body sequences involving twists , stances and complex jumps & turns.12 meipayattu exercises for neuro muscular coordination, balance and flexibility follow the basic postures of the body.Kalaripayatt otriginates not in aggression but in the discipling of the self.Therefore the training begins with disciplining the physical body and attainig a mental balance.This first stage of trainig consists of physical exercises to develop strength, flexibility, balance, and stamina.It includes jumps, kicks, low stances on the floor, circular sequence etc.

These exercises bring an alertness to the mind, and this alertness helps one understand some of the movemnets and processes of the defense sequences that are taught at later stages.

4]MAIPAYATTU, This mainly concentrates on body flexibility & increase battle awareness. 5] ADITHADA, This exercise need two students , when one student hits / punches / kicks another one blocks, and then these students will change their roles.This can also be practiced by more than two students.6] OTTOTHARAM, This exercise will teach practitioner how to use attack aganist attack as a method of defence / attack.It is from '' attack is the best way to defend'' school of thought.This exercise needs two students to start with, and can also be practiced by more than two students.

Exercises

Specific commands associated with each exercise are called Vayatari.1] KAALKAL , kalkal literally means legs.Leg exercises referred as '' kaalkal'' in kalaripayattu.2] KAIKUTHIPPAYATTU , kaikuthippayattu is one of kalari exercises.It consists of punches, leg moves,streches, twists, jumps together in a particular sequence.3] CHUMMATTADI, This will teach the practitioner how to attack and defend multiple opponents from all over sides.It consists of punches, cuts, throws, blocks etc.Practitioner will repeat steps in all 4 directions.This exercise should be practiced with intense speed and power.

Training

Students begin training at approximately seven years old with a formal initiation ritual performed by the Gurukkal.On the training starting day the student offers the master some money as Dakshina in folded betel leaves and prostrates himself, touching the master's feet as a sign of submission.The guru then places his hands on the pupil's head, blesses him and prays for him.This ritual touching the ground, puttara, guruthara and the guru's feet is repeated every day.It symbolizes a complete submission to and acceptance of the master , the deva , the kalari and the art itself.

Each deity is allotted a particular place or position.A combatant has to worship these deities physically and mentally by proper prostration and gesture . The thumba and ocium flowers, tulasi leaves, oil lamps, hand mirror, conch etc. are used daily in the propitative rituals in favour of the gods and goddesses of kalaries.

Kalari deities & rituals

Hindu beliefs have deeply influenced the kalari concept.Muslims & christians follow their own religious traditions in their kalaries.It is believed that a kalari has 45 patron deities.Each deity is allotted a particular place or position.A combatant has to worship these deities physically and mentally by proper prostration and gestures.Starting from the touch of the ground when entering into the kalari with the right hand to evoke the goddess of the earth.

The life of a combatant is precarious and will have to face the challange of death, any time .This naturally persuaded him to seek the blessingsof the supernatural powers.

In southern style kalaries are known as nilakalaries are made by construction with mud or stone walls around the appropriate area to a height of 5 feet and roofing it with coconut leaves.

The inside of the kalari thus construct will measure 42 feet length [ east west] 21 feet by width [ north south].The floor of the kalari should be levelled properly .so that there will be no undulation or projections hampering the ease of movements where practicing.The depth of the floor protects the practitioner from winds that could hamper body temperature.