According to historical evidences, Kalarippayattu (also known as Kalari) is the world’s oldest martial art.

The word Kalarippayattu was formed by combining two Malayalam words “Kalari” and “Payattu” – Kalari means battle training place or gym, and payattu means exercise.

The word Kalari was evolved from a Sanskrit word, Khaloorika that has the same meaning as Kalari.

The oldest reference of Kalarippayattu is found in Rigveda, one of the most important and oldest Vedic literatures of Hinduism.

In Rigveda - which is written in Sanskrit - it is mentioned that, Lord Indra defeated daemon Vritasura using one of the “Marmam” techniques of Kalarippayattu.

Rigveda that is believed to have written roughly between 1700–1100 BC is one of the oldest extant texts in any Indo-European language.

It is believed that the first Kalari Guru is Sage Parasurama.

He is said to have reclaimed the submerged Kerala from the Arabian Sea.

After creating the land of Kerala, he taught Kalarippayatt to his 21 disciples in order to protect and maintain peace in his land.

Another important name to mention is Sage Agasthya, who propagated Southern style of Kalari.

Sage Agasthya is also believed to be the one who introduced Kalari Chikilthsa, a unique system of treatment, which is developed in connection with Kalaries in Kerala.

According to ancient records of Hinduism, Both Parasurama and Agasthya believed to have lived thousands of years ago.

Ancient buddist monks from India were the first ambassadors of Kalarippayattu. When they travelled to China to disseminate Buddhism, a religion that advocates non-violence, they took Kalari along with them. During that period, Kalari was the only complete martial art prevailed in Asia or anywhere else. And historical evidences prove that Kung-fu and similar martial arts were developed from Kalarippayattu of India.

The most notable personality in the history of Kung-fu is Buddhabhadra (known as Batuo in Chinese) a Kalari expert who crossed the border to spread Buddhism in China. In AD 495, he founded Shaolin Temple, the pantheon of Modern-day martial arts.

Along with his preaching, He taught Kalari to his disciples in China to help them protect themselves from bandits. It was the beginning of a new era. Since then, Kalari underwent enormous changes, and gave birth to a new martial art named Kung-fu.

Bodhi Dharma (known as C’han in China) who founded the Zen buddhism, was also a Kalari expert from South India. He too followed the footsteps of his predecessors, and contributed to the development of modern martial art.

Famous words from former Chinese Ambassador to USA,

Hu Shih, is a fitting tribute

to Kalarippayattu and its contributions to Chinese culture.

He said: “India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border”

“Kalarippayattu” is the exclusive martial arts legacy of Kerala, taken to China by the Buddhist monks which became the fabled model for the modern martial arts.”

Many reputed media houses across the world have reported Kalari’s connection with Kung-fu and Shaolin Temple.

"One of the oldest martial arts in the world, if not the oldest, Kalarippayattu is still being practiced widely today in the Indian state of Kerala. The Chinese Shaolin chuan is believed to have evolved from Kalarippayattu"

Kalarippayattu is divided into four phases of training, Maithari, Kolthari, Ankkathari, and Verum kaithary.

Maithari, which involves 12 graded body exercise sequences, is body control exercise sequences that enhances the flexibility of human body to a great extent.

This exercise sequences enhance various elements of body movements such as speed, accuracy, power, stamina, neuro-muscular coordination, balance, and Flexibility.

By completing this training one can understand and direct the continuous flow of energy in human body.

Kolthari is the second stage in Kalaripayattu training. It involves training in various wooden weapons.

This practice is the stepping-stone to proper execution of advanced Kalarippayattu.

Continuous practice enables a student to gain control over weapons made of wood. A student will be allowed to go to next level only after completing this phase successfully.

Ankathari is the third level

that involves combat

training in weapons like

dagger, sword and shield,

spear, mace, axe, knife and

long flexible sword.

This phase includes practice

sessions with mixed

weapons too – for example,

if a fighter is using dagger,

the opponent might be

using sword or mace. Only

most dedicated students

who complete this level will

advance to the next level.

Final and most advanced stage of Kalarippayattu is Verumkaithari that means combat with bare hands.

A warrior who mastered in Verumkaithari doesn't need any weapon to floor even a group of armed opponents. He is not only a master of martial art, but also a man with superb control over his mind.

He can even literally paralyse a human being with just using his forefinger, which is called Marmam technique.

If you thought that Kalari is only an old martial art that became popular just because it happened to give birth to Kung-fu, you are wrong!

Kalari treatment is a notable contribution of Kalarippayattu to Kerala culture and lifestyle. It is a unique system of treatment, which is developed in connection with Kalari training centres in Kerala.

This treatment, which involves various massages and exercises, is very effective in treating ailments related to nervous systems and bones.

Rhythm of Kalarippayattu is so unique, and is known for its continuous flow of energy and synchronisation that are essential ingredients of ballet and theatre performances.

Kalari has been contributing talented dancers to theatres and troupes in India and across the world for many years. Are you surprised to hear that Kalari has become a synonym for Indian contemporary dance lately ?

Survival of the fittest is the rule of this universe. If a martial art form that originated thousands of years ago can stay very young even in this

modern age, there is something special about it!

Created by

Rony M Peter & Sukhesh Vadavil

Special thanks to CVN Kalari, Alexandra (photographer), Stem Dance Kampani, ENS Kalari and Cornell University Library