As a child I had the rare opportunity of being initiated into the world of Kalarippayattu, a martial art form that has its roots in Kerala, by a distant relative of mine. Kalari Ashan Gurukal C T Lonappan was a very renowned guru and the lessons were taught during my summer vacations in Kerala. I took an instant liking to the art form and Gurukal also was happy as I was eager to imbibe all the murhas (steps). Then there were a lot of people who were willing to train in the art form but today that is not the case. The younger generation is not enthused and there is the danger of Kalarippayattu dying a silent death due to lack of patronage. Yes this art form, which is said to be the genesis of most of the martial art forms today in the world, is slowly vanishing.
Ancient India, in its limitless cultural and traditional treasures, had various methods of physical training and martial arts. Kalarippayattu is one of them. The word kalari, in the old times, denoted a training campus where literary, scientific and cultural knowledge was imparted to the disciples. Along with physical education, this martial art was mandatory. The karalis in Kerala used to follow the gurukul system of education where parents entrusted their children to the care of the guru of the Kalari who would mould the pupil in various nuances of the art.
In those days when warfare and fights for whatever purposes were common, when the tip of the blade of a man did the talking, such training was essential for the safety of person and property. This training was not just limited to the men folk. Women were also taught the art form as it was a good self-defence technique. The ban on the art form by the British was a heavy blow. This along with the change in warfare methods around the world has relegated Kalarippayattu to an obscure corner. Kalarippayattu, after Independence, has tried to regain its lost glory but it has been a daunting task. Today there are schools that impart training in the art form but they are far and few. Moreover Kalarippayattu today is used more for entertainment than as a martial art.
The most important technique is the Verumkai Abhyasa Muras (barehanded technique) — this involved a lot of techniques that if not used properly can cause fatal injuries. These muras are taught after the mastering of weapons such as sticks, club, axe, spear, dagger, sword, bow and arrow and the urumi (a 6-8 metre long double-edged razor sharp blade). Verumkai Abhyasa Muras are imparted only to the most favoured disciples only after testing the limit of their trustworthiness. These involve techniques to disarm the fierce foe, to defeat him/her by inflicting severe/fatal injuries by the mere touch of fingers at certain points in the body. Verumkai Abhyasa Muras include safety measures to escape from the enemy despite the kind of weapon being used. Put otherwise, Verumkai Abhyasa Muras are the ultimate in Kalarippayattu containing the greatest secrets.
