Learn the Ancient Form of Martial Art at Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, In Thekkady

In today’s world where the modern man has grown very much dependent towards the modern electronics,
many health issues have come to our notice. With the fast passed life and the need to earn money and live a grand life, people have largely neglected their health, which has resulted in various kinds of health issues.

Recently this trend is slowly getting changed, and many people are getting indulged into various types of fitness programs. Our body has infinite capacity hidden inside it, which can be developed by practicing various fitness techniques at a daily basis. Men and women are getting more attracted towards learning self defense techniques like boxing, kick-boxing, karate and others. Many of these fighting techniques are believed to have been originated in foreign countries, especially China. However, if you go back in time, the traces of these fighting skills have been found in India. It is believed that during the 5th and the 6th centuries, a Buddhist monk visited India. He then learned the art of Kalaripayattu and spread this fighting technique to other countries that he visited.

Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, located in Thekkady, in the southern state of Kerala, is an

organization for the ones who are interested in learning and practicing the centuries old form of martial art called Kalari. Initially it was opened to increase interest among the people about this ancient form of martial art, for which Kerala is very much renowned in the whole wide world. Kalari, also known as Kalarippayattu, includes swift movements and physical flexibility. The origin of this particular martial can be traced into the rich cultural and martial history of the state.

On visiting this centre, visitors can watch this ancient form of martial art being performed by the professionals from the gallery, especially structured for the spectators. Over here, visitors can also learn about the traditional system that involves both physical training and self defense techniques. The Kalarippayattu martial art form is daily performed for the spectators to watch at this centre from 6pm to 7 pm. By watching the subtle movements of the performers during the exhibition, the spectators are completely left fascinated.

Kadathanadan Kalari Centre provides different levels of training to the ones who are willing to learn this primitive form martial art and carry forward its legacy. During the basic level of training, the mastery of body movements as well as physical balance is taught and as the level rises, the training gets tougher. Mastery on various kinds of weapons is also taught at this center, like the sword, spear and spring sword, which is also known as urumi. But first before going through all the levels of training, one has got to learn the art of control over mind and body.

According to the legends, it is believed that Lord Shiva had taught Parsurama the art of Kalaripayattu, who in turn further taught this art to his 21 disciples, all of them were Brahmins. The main aim behind the impartation of the knowledge was to protect the land that he had created- Kerala, from the foreign invaders.

During the early times, Kalari was structured by digging a hallow in the ground, to form a pit which would measure four feet in depth, forty two feet in length and twenty one feet in breadth. This place, where the martial art was learned and practiced, was called Kuzhikalari, which means "portions formed by caving in the earth” in Malayalam. Today the art is taught within concrete buildings.