The historians estimates that the birth of kalaripayattu to an extended period of warfare between the Cheras & the Cholas in the 14 th century.Another theory says that kalaripayattu is the oldest existing martial art form, dating back more than 2000 years and said to be the forerunner of popularly known chinese martial arts
. The buddhist monk Bodhidharma took this knowledge from India to China.

Kalaripayattu is the only form of the most anicient traditional system of physical, culture, self defence & martial techiniques still in existence.In sanskrit language , the word ' khaloorika' denotes a place where training is practiced.Some historians says that kalaripayattu combines indigenous Dravidian system of martial practice such as Varma ati or Marmaadi.There are two distinct traditions in kalaripayattu - the northern & the southern styles.