Kalaripayat or Kalari is an ancient Martial Art form of Kerala operating in Delhi for the last 12 years. We specialize in the ancient Martial Art form of Kerala, KALARIPAYAT, which has root in God’s Own Country-Kerala, South India.
Since our inception, we have conducted various performances in India & abroad, particularly in Delhi, for important personalities like Dr. Manmohan Sigh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Late Sh. Krishna Kant, Former Vice-President of India, Mrs. Shiela Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi, Dr. Balram Jakar Governor of Madhya Pradesh , Sh. Madan Lal Khurana Former Governor of Rajasthan, Sh. Vijay Kapoor, Former Lt. Governor of Delhi,. Dr. G.V.G. Krishnamurthy, Former Election Commissioner of India, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Congress President, Late Sh. Madhav Rao Scindia, former Minister of HRD, etc.
Our Institution has been registered under the Register of Societies, Delhi vide No. 23919/93, affiliated to Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) vide No. F.No.AVR/301/D/2004, Nehru Yuva Kendra (Under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India) Regn. No.6602/YCA/2003/04, Sangeeta Nadak Academi & Sahitya Kala Parishad.
We are having a well-trained good team in “KALARIPPAYAT” under the able leadership and mastership of Murugan Gurukal who is having more than 22 years experience in this field.
We conduct Stage Demonstrations, Workshops, Lecturers with Demonstration, Kalarippayat training, Choreography for dance and films and Kalari Therapy (Indian Traditional Treatments).
In our training center, we provide free Kalaripayat training for Children below 10 years and Indian Traditional Ayurvedic treatments for needy poor people at all times.
Kalarippayat Mother of Martial Arts
Kalari is the Malayalam word, for a special kind of Gymnasium, where the martial art known as “Kalaripayat” is practiced. It had its origin in the 4th Century A.D. Legends claim, that the art began with the sage of Parasurama in North & sage Agastya in South region, and they had taught the Brahmins the art of fighting , archery, etc. Tradition holds that they had established 108 Kalaries in these region. They built temples and introduced martial arts, which have influenced and shaped many other Martial arts like Kung-fu, Karate, Judo Taekwon-Do, etc.
A Kalarippayat demonstration includes physical exercises mock dules armed and unarmed combat. Today, Kalaripayattu is a method of physical fitness, mental balance and self defence.
Kalari :- Structural Features
Scientific and specific categorisation of Kalari is in terms of the measurement of the ground plan of the Kalari structure. Thus we identify the following types:
Panteerati (12ft) 12 ft. Length x 12ft. Width
Patineteerati (18ft.) 18 ft. Length x 9 ft. Width
Muppatteerati (32ft.) 32 ft. Length x 16ft. Width
Nalpatterati (42ft.) 42 ft. Length x 21ft. Width
Anpateerati (52ft.) 52 ft. Length x 26ft. Width
These were two distinct types of Kalaries: Kuzhikalari in the North and Nilakalari in the south of Kerala. A Kuzikalari is constructed by digging out soil from the ground and forming a pit for an appropriate structure. The area is protected by thateched roal of plasted coconut leaves. The skeletal structure of the roof rests on wooden or stone pillars, erected in the center of the eastern and western borders of the pit and connected with long beams. The height of the centre of the structure ranges from 32 feet to 42 feet. This construction style is known as the elephant mouthed or anavayan. The structure not only gave enough aeration but also controled the temperature within the pit. Pouring gignely oil in the ground, plaiting the ground by sea-sheels and the like, gave a healthy atmosphere for hard physical exercise. The Nilakalaries of Southern Kerala are made by constructing mud or stone walls around the appropriate area to a height of 5 feet. and roofing it with coconut leaves.
Kalarippayat consists of various techniques and stages, among them are :-
Kachhakettal
KACHHA means dress traditional dress used in Kalari is known as Kachha and its wearing method is Kachha Kettal. The kachha as a long cotton cloth with 6″ width and 9 mtr. length. It is to be wrapped in a particular method which gives maximum tightness from the naval, is the basis of the art of Kachhakettal. The kachha is also believed to be the protector of one’s prana, the life force.
It is a practice to apply gingely oil or medicated oil before to start kalaripayat training. This renders coolness and flexibility to the body and invigorates the veins and muscles. Application of this oil reduces body temperature, while performing body control exercises.
Uzhichil
The first stage in Kalarippat course, is the Uzhichil. The students of Kalarippayat have to undergo a course of Uzhichal or Kalari message therapy with special herbal oil like Mukkoot or Arakuzhambu. Usually an Uzhichal course lasts for 7-14 days.
The message is done with hands for young and with legs and for elders. This is technically called ‘Kai Uzhichal’ and ‘Chavitti Uzhichal’respectively. Message is considered to be one of integral parts of Kalari training which helps the body to attain a healthy constitution as well as flexibility, nimbleness and suppleness. Moreover, message enables proper blood circulation, and removal of excess of fat from body. It helps in the easy manoeuvrability of the body for turning, twisting & jumping.
Meippayattu
MEIPPAYATTU is the body control exercise designed in a special sequence. It gives perfect control and flexibility to the body and is a combination of Vativu with body movements, holds, kicks, jumps, cuts. There is a traditional saying that a “Kalari master is one, who has converted his body into an eye.”
Cheruvadi or Muchhanvadi
A MUCHHAN (Three Spanner rod) or Cheruvadi, is a strong wooden Staff, usually 22 inches in length and about 2 inches in diameter. The Amaram or holding end, will be thicker than Muna or the using end. The use of Cheruvadi consists of attack, counter-attack, defence, use of locks, and unarming techniques. Various Vativus and Chuvatus are combined in this graded attack and defence combinations. Close range fight with the Muchhan is a basic training for the use of close range metal weapons like Knife and Dagger.
Kettukari or Shareervadi
KETTUKARI is a long rod made of solid cane with either the height of the practitioner from to the eyebrow or 12 span in length. In Koltari Ankam, though there are 18 sequences or stages.
The Koltari practice is considered as a preparatory stage for the use of spear, sword and other deadly weapons. Most of the attacks with Panteeran combines attack on head, temple, ribs knee and groin. Regular and systematic practices installs natural reflexes in the body which wards off any attack on any part of the body. There are also special techniques of twisting and circling the staff calledVativeesal. In the more advanced stages of Kettukari, there are locking and unarming techniques with the staff itself.
Kadaram
KATTARI is double edged dagger of 12″ length and 11/2″ . It is curved in the middle and narrowing towards the end to form a sharp point. This is particularly used in close range combat. The hilt of this weapons forms a long protective cover to the forearm and this part can also be used for blocking and parrying the cuts and hits.
Kuntham
KUNTHAM or spear is another popular weapon used in the Kalaries. It is made of strong cane, 1″ in diameter and 5 to 5 ½ feet in length and one end is fixed with an iron blade in the shape of leaf or bud. There are traditional instruction for the choice and treatment of cane to make it strong and smooth, for making Kuntham.
The Kuntham is held and used in almost the same way as the Kettukari. The tactics of blows, hits and stretching are used in attacks and speedy wielding of the spear, for keeping the enemy at bay. There is a technique of throwing the spear with flawless accuracy and also blocking the same, with a quick twisting manipulation, which will return it to the thrower and hit him back, with force.
Ankatari
THE main stage in Kalari, is the Ankatari or practice of deadly weapons like dagger, spear, sword and shield. In Northern Style, the last phase of Ankatari is the training in Urumi.
The duel practiced with sword and shield is called Puli Ankam or Val Ankam. Various types of strokes and thrusts are there in this style, followed by methods for receiving and parrying them with the shield. There are 18 Atavus or sequences in sword fight. The length of sword used in Kalaries ranges from 18″ to 24″ and the blade will have a width of 11/2 to 2″ The sword should be light, sharp, tough and flexible. The shield is round in shape and 12″ to 18″ in diameter: It is used by passing the hand through the metallic or choir-chain and holding the wooden or metallic handle.
Urumi
URUMI is the most popular weapon in Kalaries. It is a long blade with spring like action, 4 and half feet or 5 and half feet in length and ¾” to 1″ in width. It has a small handle with cover. As an Urumi can be wrapped round the waist, it is the best weapon to be carried with ease. A woman can keep an Urumi around waist and use it, if required.
Barehanded Fight or Verumkai Prayogam
IN unguarded moments, there are some special ways of getting out of a tight situation, by using hand & legs. Locks and blows are in vogue. Attacks on the nervous system by the edge of one’s palm or single finger, are enough to paralyze the opponent. Various types of blows and with different effects are, therefore practiced to perfection.
Please Visit
N.C.KALARI
94-B, A2-Pocket,
Mayur Vihar Phase – III
Delhi – 110096
Tel: 011-22617754, 9810781909
Email: nckalaridelhi@hotmail.com
http://www.nckalari-ayurveda.com/
