THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tangappanashan, a veteran Kalari instructor who along with his son and daughter run the Maruti Marma Chikitsa and Kalari Sangham in the city was felicitated on Wednesday at an event held at Poojappura ground. The day marked the Kalari Sangham’s sixtieth anniversary and its founder Tangappanashan’s 85th birthday celebrations. The occasion would also mark a re-interpretation of the ancient martial art form Chiramappayattu.
Kalarippayattu holds an important place among martial arts from the south. However, not many know about its older form called Chiramappayattu.
For those confused as to what Chiramappayattu is, the elderly Kalari instructor in his eighties elaborates- “ There were basically two forms of the ancient martial art form- Thekkan and Vadakkan Kalarippayattu. Chiramappayattu comes under the Thekkan branch of Kalari.”
Not much has been written about Chiramappayattu and hence not many are aware of such an ancient martial art form. The form has been existing even before Malayalam lipi(script) was born. Back then everything was in Malayanma, a combined form of Malayalam and Tamil. Though Kalarippayattu is being taught in other three centres in Kerala including Varkala and Oyoor at Adoor, Chiramappayattu is taught only at the kalari centre in the city. Otherwise, it is also being taught in some parts of Tamil Nadu.
For Tangappanashan of Maruti Marma Chikitsa and Kalari Sangham, his tryst with the sword-fight technique started at the age of 15. Learning Kalarippayattu and Chiramappayattu under the tutelage of four gurus, he soon started teaching it to others. Now, he along with his children run the martial art school at Mudavanmukal in the city.
So what is it that makes it dangerous and different? “ While Kalarippayattu focuses on causing any kind of bodily harm, injuries sustained in Chiramappayattu can be more fatal as it aims at striking the marmasthanas or the vital points of the body. A wrong strike at such a point can even cause death. Hence, those who are taught the martial art form are given sticks instead of swords to ensure safety,” says Ajith Kumar, son and disciple. The centre currently has 30-40 people learning the martial art form along with marma chikitsa. Among them are also a few foreigners, who are curious about the swordfight technique of Chiramappayattu.
“ People come from Italy, Germany, Russia and other places. The centre currently has eight foreigners learning the same,” Ajith adds. The event was inaugurated by V S Sivakumar, Minister for health, family welfare and devaswom. A few of the instructors early disciples who have now reached their sixties were also honoured on the occasion by A Sampath MP.