Amid an almost half-an-hour delay and the subsequent onstage admonishment by the state Intelligence chief T P Sen Kumar for the lag, the functioning of the ‘Kerala Police Kalari Training Centre’ was set on roll at the Yoga Centre in Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium here on Thursday.
The Kalari Centre has been conceptualised as a training centre of Kalaripayattu run by the police, where police personnel, their family members and the general public can master the art.
There was drama, followed by apprehension, as the state Intelligence chief, ADGP Sen Kumar, arrived much before the scheduled time.
But the inaugural function slated to begin at 3.30 pm was delayed, by a good 20 minutes, as other dignitaries failed to turn up on time, infuriating the ADGP.
Except for this drawback, the function was noted for its gaiety and vividly conveyed the effectiveness of the centuries-old martial art in dealing with life-threatening situations.
According to the police, the centre will offer lessons in traditional Kalaripayattu for the aspirants. A nominal fee will be charged from the trainees. The training sessions are expected to begin in 10 days’ time.
According to senior civil police officer Shaji Kaimanam, a renowned ‘marma’ expert and respected Kalaripayattu master hailing from Kaimanam, the trainees will be provided lessons in the traditional ‘southern style’ of the art. “There will be no concealment of techniques. What I have learned from my masters and ancestors will be passed on to the trainees without any cover-up,” he said when asked about the syllabus being prepared.
“I learned the art in its purest form from my father and grand-father. This style is extremely dangerous and when used on opponents will have devastating effect. For example, the hand techniques used during offence and defence are created so that they strike only the vulnerable points, the ‘marmas.’ We advise the students to use them only in an unavoidable situation. But our intention here is to revive the martial art by teaching it to youths and officers,’’ said Shaji.
Though he had to settle for the concrete floor in the Yoga Centre for practising, it is learnt that a muddy floor will be laid later. The classes will be held in the evenings.
As part of the inauguration, a demonstration also was held.