Kalarippayattu: Encyclopedia II - Kalarippayattu - Training

Kalarippayattu - Training

A student begins his Kalarippayatt training at the very early age of 7 & 8 with a formal initiation ritual performed by the Master (Gurukkal). The training is mainly divided into 3 parts consisting of Meythari, Kolthari and Angathari. Apart from these, one more stage exists called Verumkai. (Please read these training stages in detail below). The above mentioned stages are for the vadakkan style. In the thekkan style the taining starts with Chuvadu (solo forms), Jodi(partner trainig/sparring), Kurunthadi, Neduvadi,Katthi, Katara,valum parichayum, Chuttuval, double sword and Marmma and kalari grappling. The Guru is called as "Asan"

Kalarippayattu training differs from most other martial arts training in that bare hand fighting skills are taught in the end. But this is not the case with the thekkan system. In the thekkan system the bare hand tactics are taught just after the solo forms and again when the students reaches high levels of proficiency the marmma or science of vital points are taught. Since it was originally the martial training given to warriors, the martial art teaches the practitioner to become adept in several different forms of weapons. The stages in which this training is imparted is:

A complete Kalarippayattu training is incomplete without learning the medical aspects. The practitioner who has completed martial training will be taught how to treat physical injuries with traditional medicines. A person who is well versed with all these aspects becomes a complete master and is called Kalari Gurukkal or simply Gurukkal.

Kalarippayattu - Initiation Ceremony

At the age of seven, on an auspicious day or on the opening day of the new session, a novice is admitted to the kalari in the presence of the Gurukkal or a senior student, and directed to place his right foot first across the threshold. The student touches the ground with the right hand and then his forehead, as a sign of respect. He is then led to the Guruttara (the place where a lamp is kept burning in reverence to all the masters of the kalari) to repeat his act of worship. He then has to offer some money in folded betel leaves as dakshina (tuition fee) for the master and bow and prostrate himself before the latter, and touch his legs, as a sign of submission. The guru then places his hands on the pupil’s head, blesses him and prays for him. This worship; touching the ground, Poottara, Guruttara and the guru’s feet, is to be repeated everyday. It symbolizes a complete submission to and acceptance of the Kalari deities, Kalari master, and the rules and discipline of the art.

Kalarippayattu - Meythari

This is the beginner stage where rigorous body sequences comprising of twists, stances and complex jumps and turns are to be mastered. After the basic postures of the body twelve sequences of body control exercises are practiced, these exercises are termed as Meyppayattu and they impart excellent neuro muscular co-ordination in the practitioner. This is the stage of training leading to balance and flexibility.

Kalarippayattu - Kolthari

Once the student has become physically competent, he/she is introduced to fighting with long wooden weapons.

The first weapon taught is the cane staff which is usually 5 feet in length, or up to the forehead of the student from the ground level called "Kettukari".

The second weapon taught is a short wooden stick of about two and a half feet, or three palm spans. This is called the "Cheruvadi" or "Muchan".

The third weapon taught is "Otta" which is a wooden staff curved to resemble the trunk of an elephant. The tip is rounded and is used to strike the vital spots in the opponent's body. This weapon is considerd as the master weapon. The training in 'Otta' consists of 18 sequences. This tool remains the fundamental tool of practice to develop stamina, agility, power, and skill.

Kalarippayattu - Ankathari

Ankathari means training in warfare. Once the practitioner has gained confidence with all the wooden weapons, he/she is introduced to metal weapons, which require superior concentration due to the lethal nature of such weapons.

The first weapon taught is the metal dagger called "Kadhara" which has a curved blade. The second weapon taught is the sword and shield. The sword is called "Val" and the shield is called "Paricha" The sword and shield exercises are very elegant to look at.

There are more weapons taught, including a wooden spear called the kuntham and the famous flexible sword called Urumi or Chuttuval which is an extremely dangerous weapon, and as such is taught rarely, to only the most skillful of students.

Historically, after the completion of 'Ankathari' training, the student would specialize in a weapon of his choice, to become an expert swordsman or stick fighter.

Kalarippayattu - Verumkai

Only after achieving mastery with all weapons forms is the practitioner taught to defend his/her person with bare-handed techniques. These include strikes to vital pressure points of the body (called Marmam), grapples, and arm locks. The knowledge about marmam is taught by the "Kalari Gurukkal" to only the students whom he trusts. Presently only very few people are trained to hit the marmam.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Training", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki