Kalaripayattu, the mother of all martial art forms that created legendary men like Thacholi Othenan and Thacholi Chandu in North Malabar in the fifteenth and later centuries and that gave rise to spectacular action movies in modern times, is struggling to survive in the land of its origin.
Although there are over 1000 Kalaris where this art form is taught, only some 50 teach genuine Kalarippayattu. Others do it to make a fast buck diluting its many key aspects. Kalaripayattu is all about auto reflex, stability, strength, concentration and confidence, but these are ignored in most of the Kalaris, according to experts.
Although the previous LDF Government had decided to train school students in Kalaripayattu, like all other government decisions, this also lost steam after the initial enthusiasm.
Some Kalari Gurukals fear that Kalaripayattu may die a slow death with students and parents showing little interest and the government least bothered about preserving the great legacy of the state’s warriors and fighters of North Malabar.
Kerala Kalari Association secretary Poonthura Soman said that the present government had totally neglected Kalaripayattu. “We have given representation to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Sports Minister K B Ganesh Kumar. They have agreed to do everything possible to popularise it,’’ he said.
Sudhakaran gurukal of CVN Kalari felt that people must change their attitude if Kalaripayattu has to get its due prominence. “Though many efforts are being made to popularise it, it has not been presented in the proper way. We need to present it in a scientific manner so that more people will learn it,’’ he said.
Soman said Kalaripayattu was yet to have a foothold though it was witnessing a revival. “Now parents know its importance. It is the mother of all martial art forms. Kalaripayattu pertains to concentration and confidence. This is what has helped increase its importance,’’ he said.
Today’s health-conscious people have begun to learn it, Soman said. But it will regain its lost glory only if the govt promotes it as other countries encourage their art forms like Kung Fu.
However, Sudhakaran said the govt alone could not be blamed for the sorry state of affairs. The people who practise it without devotion or commitment change its style to suit their needs and destroy it, he said.
