Parasurama MVG CVN Kalari

Kalari

  • Kalarippayattu

    Kalarippayattu (the word translates from the vernacular as 'Kalari', meaning a space for training / battlefield and 'payattu' meaning fight) is an ancient Indian martial art that has historically evolved in the state of Kerala. Many historians believe that it is one of the oldest fighting systems in existence with roots dating back to the 11th and 12th century CE. In Kalaris combat techniques developed in an ancient battles are taught in accordance with the ancient Indian guru - shishya tradition, a system that defines the relationship between a master and disciple.

    Parasurama MVG CVN Kalari

  • The practice of Kalarippayattu involves extremely rigorous routines, systematically practicing strenuous physical and mental exercises, strikes, kicks, grappling and the use of defensive and offensive weapons such as staffs, swords, daggers, and flexible weapons like the Urumi. Practitioners find that the fluid dynamic movements and intricate footwork enhance physical and mental abilities and enable flexibility, balance and co-ordination.

    Interestingly Kalarippayattu is also aligned with certain aspects of Ayurveda, in what is referred to as Kalari Chiktisa, the curative and healing processes used by practitioners of Kalarippayattu.

    Parasurama MVG CVN Kalari
Kalari

Kalarippayattu is taught in a space specifically designed for the purpose in accordance ancient Hindu with architectural treatises and guided by traditions and customs associated with religious practices that are native to Kerala. Specifications are laid out with regards to the physical dimensions and directional alignments in a Kalari. The floor in every Kalari will contain red sand that is mixed with certain herbs that are believed to heal minor wounds that may occur in course of training and practice.

Clothing for men, when practicing Kalarippayittu, is traditionally a 'kachakettal', a lion cloth that is either red and white or red and black in colour. For women it comprises of a cotton sarong, a blouse and a cloth belt wrapped around the midriff. Many women also wear sweatpants and t-shirts. Both men and women enter the Kalari barefoot and go through their regimen.

Parasurama MVG CVN Kalari
Weaponry

Here are some of the weapons used in Kalarippayattu:

  • VALARI (Flexible Sword)

    The Valari is a unique weapon resembling a whip-sword combination. It consists of a flexible sword with a blade attached to one end and a handle on the other. The practitioner uses whipping and slashing motions to attack opponents from a distance.

  • URUMI (Flexible Sword)

    Similar to the Valari, the Urumi is a flexible sword made of multiple blades attached to a single handle. It requires exceptional skill to wield due to its flexibility and potential for self-inflicted injury.

  • KURUVADI (Short Stick)

    The Kuruvadi is a short stick used for defense and attack. Practitioners are trained to use it for blocking, striking, and joint-locking techniques.

  • NANDAKAM (Dagger)

    The Nandakam is a traditional Indian dagger used in Kalarippayattu. It's a double-edged weapon with a sharp point and is employed in close combat scenarios.

  • CHURIKA (Sword)

    The Churika is a straight sword with a single edge. It's used for various striking and blocking techniques and is an important weapon in Kalarippayattu.

  • GADA (Mace)

    The Gada is a heavy, club-like weapon with a spherical head. It's used to deliver powerful strikes and is often associated with Lord Hanuman in Indian mythology.

  • PARA (Shield)

    The Para is a circular shield used for defense. It can be used to block attacks and deflect strikes, providing protection to the practitioner.

  • VETTUKATHI (Hunting Knife)

    The Vettukathi is a curved knife used for both defense and offense. It's designed for close combat and features a distinctive curved blade.

  • KATTARAM (Double-Edged Sword)

    The Kattaram is a double-edged sword with a broader blade. It's used for various offensive and defensive techniques.

  • CHUTTUVAL (Stick and Shield)

    The Chuttuval consists of a stick and a shield. The stick is used for striking, and the shield provides protection against attacks.

  • OTTA (Cane Stick)

    The Otta is a cylindrical cane stick used for training and self-defense. It's used to develop techniques involving strikes, locks, and blocks.

  • PATTA (Long Sword)

    The Patta is a long sword with a single edge. It's used for advanced training and combat techniques.

All these weapons require specialised training and mastery to utilise them effectively in combat. Kalarippayattu's emphasis on weaponry adds depth and complexity to the martial art form, reflecting its comprehensive approach to self-defence and combat.

Folk art perfomances

  • The Vadakkan Paattukal [ballads of North Malabar] and the Thekkan Paattukal [ballads of South Kerala] not only tell stories of numerous battles waged between princely states, but also of feuds fought between families and clans with the help of experts in Kalaripayattu, who were either members of the warring groups or mercenaries employed by them. It also gives verbal portraits of exceptionally heroic figures as well.

    The exploits of brave warriors like Thacholi Othennan, Aromal Chekavar, Kannappa Chekavar, and Unniyarcha narrated in the Vadakkan Paattukal, and those of Idanaadan and Iravikutty Pillai in Thekkan Paattukal are so vivid as to give them a semi-divine aura. It is rare to find a Malayali who has not been fed on accounts of their legendary skill and courage. They even feature in Theyyam and Thira, the ritualistic folk art forms popular in Malabar.

    Parasurama MVG CVN Kalari

  • At various times in the history of modern Kerala, their lives have been presented and the motives behind their actions subversively interpreted through many a blockbuster movie. Such has been the influence of Kalaripayattu that many of its moves can be seen choreographed in dances performed by Hindus, Muslims and Christians - like Poorakkali, Kolkali and Chavittu Natakam, ritualistic dance forms like Parichamuttukali, Patayani and Mudiyettu as well as the dance-drama of Kathakali, in which combat moves have been stylized to give them a stronger aesthetic appeal.

    Parasurama MVG CVN Kalari

  • Origin of Kalaripayattu

    It is believed that Lord Shiva taught the art of Kalaripayattu to Lord Parasuram, his foremost disciple and Lord Parasuram after the formation of the land mass of Kerala (In the legends it is believed that Lord Parasuram carved the land mass of Kerala out of the sea by throwing his axe) established 108 Kalari's across its length and breadth. It is believed that the word Kalari originated from the Sanskrit word Khaloorika. Kalari means place where the art of war is taught it also means place which removes all ill wills from one's mind and projects the individual towards enlightenment.

    Parasurama MVG CVN Kalari

  • Kalaripayattu

    Kalaripayatt is the traditional martial art form of Kerala which is aims to lift the practitioners both physically and mentally. Kalari training is broadly divided into 5 categories.

    Meythaari Kolthaari Angathaari Verumkai Kalari Chikitsa
    Parasurama MVG CVN Kalari
  • Meythaari

    Meythaari is a sequence of body movements aimed at building mind - muscle connection through regular practice and thus to fine tune the various natural movements and reflexes of the body into deadly attack and defense techniques.

  • Kolthaari

    When a student after practicing Meythaari for some time and reaches the physical ability, achieves control over his movements, focus of the mind, he/she then moves on to Kolthaari, which is techniques of fighting with wooden weapons. Kettukaari (Long Stick), Muchaan (Short Stick), Otta (Wooden weapon in the peculiar shape of human spine, used to strike the vital points (marma) of the opponent and Gadha (a mallet or blunt mace) are the weapons used in kolthaari.

  • Angathaari

    Angathaari teaches students how to fight with sharp metal weapons. It starts when the teacher/master feels that the student is ready for it through the continuous practice of Kolthaari and has achieved the necessary physical capacity and mental focus and also a certain amount of mental maturity to handle such deadly skills. Marakatara, Valum Parichayum (Sword and Shield), Udavaal (Long Sword), Kathiyum Thalayum (Knife and a piece of Cloth), Urumi (Flexible sword) etc are the weapons practiced.

  • Verumkai

    Although many aspects of Verumkai are included within the practice of Meythaari, Kolthaari and Angathaari, Vettum Thanjangalum (Various attack and evading techniques), technique of fighting with Chottachaan at the various Marma (Vital) Points are taught in Verumkai.

  • Kalari Chikitsa

    Only someone who practices kalaripayattu and has achieved a certain level of proficiency in his stances, movements, flexibility, has total control over his/her body and mind can perform Kalari Chikitsa (kalari treatments) effectively. As most of the techniques in Uzhichil, Thirummu (Massage with hands), Chavuttithirummu (Massage with legs) etc are to be performed while in different Amarchas (Stances) and especially in case of Chavuttithirummu (Massage with legs) only people who have complete mastery over their body by regular practice of Kaalsadhana (leg excercises) which are part of the Meythaari can perform it as it requires the practitioner to have as much control and flexibility to do the same movements that he normally performs with his hands to do it with his legs.

    Kalari Chikitsa originated from the necessity of treating the warriors who gets injured while practicing and also during duels. It later evolved into an extensive treatment modality which focuses on Neuropathic issues (ailments of the nerves), Orthopedic issues (aiments of the bones) and Muscle ailments.

    Traditionally wherever there are kalari's they all act as an alternative medicine system which people effectively use to treat conditions like broken bones, burises, dislocations, wear and tear of the joints, lack of flexibility, lack of strength in joints and muscles, neck and shoulder pains, frequent shoulder dislocations, tennis elbow, lack of flexibility after setting of broken bones (plaster), Back ache, back issues relating to disc prolapse, injuries caused to the ligaments of the knees or wear and tear of the joints, obesity and related issues, physical weaknesses, premature aging, Erectile Dysfunction caused due to physical and mental issues, swelling and pain in the body due to injuries caused by way of falling or accidents, issues caused due to reduced blood flow in the body, lack of movement after stroke etc to name a few.

A Brief History of MVG CVN Kalari

After the golden era of kalaripayattu came the British rule in India. Under the British rule they made sure everything possible was done to prevent people from practicing the art, as they considered kalari warriors as the biggest threat to their supremacy. It was Sri Kottakkal Kanaran gurukkal who is known as the Dronacharya of Kalaripayattu and his favorite disciple Sri C.V. Narayanan Nair. Sri C.V. Narayanan Nair was assisted in his endeavors to bring back the art of kalaripayattu by his disciple Sri Pathriyil Gopalan Gurukkal.

It was at the age of 7 that Sri Malabar Vasudevan Gurukkal joined kalari with Sri Pathriyil Gopalan Gurukkal as his mentor. After practicing for 14 years under Sri Pathriyil Gopalan gurukkal, Sri Malabar Vasudevan Gurukkal established Kalari's at Kodiyeri and also at Thiruvithamkoor in the year 1951. Around that time he also became the disciple of Sri Kovilakath Kuttan pillai who was then one of the prominent figures in the field of Ayurveda. Later he combined his knowledge of Ayurveda and also his understanding of Hatha Yoga which he gained from Sri Kumarakom Bodhananda Swami to great effect in finding effective treatment for many issues.

It was to keep this traditional knowledge alive and to popularize it among the masses that Sri Yogacharya Malabar P.V. Sivakumar Gurukkal Son of Sri Malabar Vasudevan Gurukkal dedicated his entire life to. Thus the MVG Tradition CVN Kalari Sangam was born (MVG stands for Malabar Vasudevan Gurukkal and CVN stands for Sri C.V.Narayanan Nair)

Parasurama MVG Tradition CVN Kalari is the latest among the 24 centers of the MVG CVN group spread along the length and breadth of Kerala. This is the brain child of Sinu Kumar who is a consultant in hospitality industry and Sri P.V. Sivakumar Gurukkal wherein for the first time MVG CVN tradition of Kalaripayattu and its treatment modalities are introduced to those who seek both for native people and also for tourists. The intention is to impart authentic kalaripayattu training and kalari chikitsa to the travelling community.

Parasurama MVG CVN Kalari
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