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Training
The Training of the student in the Kalari
begins at a very early age of 8 years with
an initiation ritual performed by the
Gurukkal. Attendance in the Kalari is made a
part of the daily routine of the student. He
goes through a series of symbolic rituals
every day, before and after practice, to
acquire discipline and concentration.
Kalarippayattu training is mainly divided
into there parts called Meithari, Kolthari
and Ankathari.
Wearing a Katcha or loin cloth and
smearing his body with oil, the student
after prostrating before the deities and the
Gurukkal begins his initial training with
the Meithari. During the training in
Meithari or body preparative exercise
sequences, the student learns various leg
stretching movements leading to proper
balance, basic body postures, leaps and
flexibility exercises which constitute the
primary alphabets of the system. In the
advanced stages of Meithari the student is
taught several sequences of body control
exercises, which help him to understand his
balance and the continuous flow of energy in
the body.
 The
second phase is known as Kolthari
which involves training in wooden weapons
like Kettukari (12 span staff), Cheruvati
(3 span staff) etc. Ottakkol, the
third weapon taught in Kolthari to a student
plays a pivotal role in the progress of his
training. Ottakkol is a special curved
wooden weapon which serves as a training
instrument for coordinating the intricate
movements of the body and feet and also as a
stepping stone to the proper execution of
the advanced Kalarippayattu techniques.
Various sequences of Kolthari leads one to
the proper understanding of mind and body in
action. The techniques of the above weapons,
always increasing in complexity, is aimed at
gaining complete control over the weapon by
making it an extension of the body. Several
years of continuous, persistent and
dedicated practice under the close
supervision of the Gurukkal is essential to
reach this stage.
The third final phase of training is Ankathari
or combat training with weapons. This begins
with Kattaram or Dagger which is a knife
shaped metallic weapon for duels at close
quarters. Several locks and many elements of
bare hand fighting techniques are taught in
the dagger sequences.
Sword and shield were the weapons of the
medieval Kerala soldier. As the supreme
combat weapons in the Kalarippayattu system,
Sword and Shield training makes total use of
the full range of body movements learned in
the preliminary physical culture training.
The techniques of Sword and Shield range
from very artistically codified sequences of
mutual salutations between the combatants to
the dynamic sequences of Puliyankam or
'Leopard Fight'. References of many of the
present day Kalarippayattu, Sword and shield
techniques can be seen in the 4th
century texts of Agnipuranam and the
Natyasastra. Techniques of Urumi or the
flexible sword in the Puliyankam was used in
mass clashes of warriors.
The complex and rich repertoire of
Kalarippayattu weaponry includes highly
accurate techniques of spear fighting and
the classical sequences of mace combat, the
weapon of the epic heroes. There is also the
Marapitticha Kuntham, a duel between a
swordsman and a man armed with spear,
demanding distinct skills depending on the
weapons handled by each.
Many advanced elements of empty hand
fighting is taught in the different
sequences of Kathiyum Thalayum in which one
learns to defend oneself with a common 2
meter long cloth on one's shoulder.
The Gurukkal
The Kalari Gurukkal plays a dual role of a
martial art master as well as a healer or
physician. Long years of practice as a
student, accomplishment in training, trust
of his chosen master and the right aptitude
transforms a student into a Gurukkal who
runs a Kalari.
He undergoes special
teachings under his master in meditation and
mantras and the Kalari system of medicine
known as Kalari Chikitsa. This is a
system of medicine based on Ayurveda
specializing in treatment of orthopedic
disorders and neuromuscular problems like
back pain, Spondylosis etc. Unlike the
traditional Ayurvedic Physician, the Kalari
Gurukkals actually do the treatments like
bone setting and massages using specially
formulated oils and herbs. The foundation
for the Kalari Chikitsa training for the
Gurukkals is laid on the rare and unique
system of whole body feet and hand massage
known as "Uzhichal" taught only to
the Gurukkals. This method of Uzhichal,
besides being used for treatments, also
helps to improve muscular texture,
flexibility and stimulates circulation for
the Kalarippayattu practitioner.
The Gurukkal is revered by the students as
the direct representative of the entire line
of Gurus of this tradition. He is
responsible for creating proper
environment for nurturing the disciple of
the student.
Cultural
Contributions
Being the forerunner of the performing
traditions of Kerala, Kalarippayattu has
contributed greatly to the development of
the well-known classical and rural art forms
like Kathakali, Theyyam and many other folk
traditions. The actor training process in
Kathakali has drawn considerably from
Kalarippayattu in the methods of physical
training and choreography where an actor
uses his body as the basic medium of
expression.
This concept of body training aimed at
perfect psychophysical integration has
attracted considerable interest from dance
and acting circles in the Western countries.
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