Kalaripayattu Mother of all Martial Arts: An Introduction
Everyone has heard of Karate and Judo and maybe even been excited by a Bruce Lee film. These days martial arts training is big business. But where did it all start? Around the year 520 AD, a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma arrived in China which was then ruled by emperor Wu of the Ling dynasty. It was a time when monks travelled far and wide to teach the eight fold path which the Buddha had proclaimed, braving attacks from the bandits that frequented every major caravan route. Bodhidharma wandered into China from his home in South India. He settled in a Shaolin temple and began to teach Zen Buddhism and meditation. His teachings included the philosophy of peace and non violence and he advocated the novel concept that it was perfectly possible for a man to defend himself against all attacks without using lethal weapons.
As a young prince, Bodhidharma had to study the art of fighting and he now began to adapt the lessons he had learned to fit his new philosophy. His teachings soon spread until they covered the whole of what is now considered to be the oriental world. But what were those techniques learned in his father's court that formed the basis for Bodhidharma's new ideas? Some people think they could have been an early form of Kalaripayattu. And that is how we come back to Malabar to study the ancient martial culture that existed in this region of India.
Kalaripayat - Formed from two Sanskrit words , kalari and payat. It means combat of the training ground. In those Iin the olden days, the Hindu families of the area formed groups for their own protection and advancement. Each of these groups had its own kalari and kavu, a shrine for their deity. The kalari became the center for many activities. Not stopping at payat, martial education , further scholarly enterprises were included so that the end result was the improvement of both body and mind. Each kalari was in the charge of a guru who played a very significant role in the community. Arguments were often settled by duels under the Guru's supervision.
The traditional kalari lies on an east-west axis and can be 18, 32, 42 or 52 feet long. The width must be exactly half the length. The floor and the walls are made of mud, beaten till it is smooth and level. The roof , supported by pillars that spring only from the side walls, is cantilevered and covered with plaited palm fronds. There is only one entrance and that is in the east wall. Like a temple, the kalari is considered a sacred place. Especially hallowed is the south west corner called the Poothara which is reserved for the reigning goddess and it is here that the weapons are stored under her protection when they are not in use. Next to this is the Ganapathi thara, dedicated to Lord Ganesh who is the vanquisher of all obstacles. Beside this is the Guru thara , a place where a lamp is kept burning in reverence to all the former Gurus of the Kalari. It is here that the current guru stands to receive gifts presented to him by his students during their initiation on the Vijaya Deshami day. As the crowing of the roosters heralds the dawn of each new day, the students begin their training. The session begins with the students changing into the traditional T shaped costume called the kou-peenam, then after applying medicated oil to each others bodies, they put on a garment called katcha which gives support to the main muscles of the body. Putting on the katcha itself is a rigorous exercise which helps to loosen up stiff muscles. One end is tied to a pillar. The student steps back and with the cloth taut, begins to wind himself into it with an elaborate series of movements called the Katcha Kettal
Although he is now properly dressed, the student cannot begin his training until he has made his obeisance to the Goddess. This he does in a war dance like ritual called the Poothara Thozhal. Only a swift and experienced eye can see the choreography of this dance that is full of offensive and defensive movements.
Kalaripayatt is taught in five stages. The first , Meithari, is aimed at physical fitness, muscle control and developing the power of concentration. As he learns, the student recites the rhythmic Vaithari which describes in Malayalam, the language of Kerala ,each movement that he performs.
Kolthari, is the second stage when the first weapon, a wooden staff , is brought into the training. The students start with the long staff and move on to shorter ones as they improve. When they can confidently deliver about one hundred blows a minute, the guru will allow them to try the Otta, a wooden weapon shaped like an elephant tusk. When wielded by an expert, the Otta becomes a lethal weapon. After gaining proficiency in Kolthari, the student next moves to the next stage, Angathari.This gives him the taste of really dangerous weapons like the dagger, sword, spear and mace. In the beginning they learn to fight with matched weapons. As they develop their skills, the Guru will encourage them to see how they can handle themselves with unmatched weapons like sword and dagger.
The most dangerous of all is the Urumi, a flexible long sword. The first time the guru brings it out, the student’s face pales visibly. Its a sword with a flexible blade , which when twirled correctly, produces a terrifying sound. Its razor sharp blade has left its deep scars on many warriors. It can inflict deep wounds if not handled properly on the self.
After learning to use all the classical weapons, the student has to learn how to do without them. He begins training in unarmed combat called the Verum Kai. He's taught to pit his skills against armed opponents.
If the student receives the full confidence of his guru, the student is allowed to learn the inner mysteries. The Marma prayogangal , the death blows are taught. The guru must feel certain that the student will never misuse this knowledge. But Kalari payatt is not all violence. Mercifully it has its gentler aspects. A part of the guru's training is in herbal medicine. It originated with the need to tend to the wounds of the warriors in battle. Today, the guru is the physician. His skills range from bone setting to healing internal ailments. He is adept at massage with medicated oils which he prepares with great care. Holding on to ropes that he suspends from his kalari,he uses his feet to massage the patient, varying the pressure as he deems fit during Chavutti thirummu.
Each guru has is own personal book of herbal medicines and recipes which he keeps as a closely guarded secret, passing it on to worthy students. And thus is completed the cycle of Kalaripayattu. The preservation of life in the presence of adversities. So it should be with every martial art.