Kalaripayattu
Info, video e foto sulla coreografica arte marziale praticata
in Kerala e nel Tamil Nadu
L’addestramento del combattimento viene insegnato al
kalari (scuola d’addestramento) inizia con il massaggio del corpo con olio, vengono
insegnati l’atto del chaattom (il salto), ottam (la corsa), marichil (il salto
mortale) ecc., seguiti dalle lezioni sull’uso delle armi come i pugnali, le
spade, le lance, le mazze, l’arco con freccia ecc. L’addestramento mira alla
coordinazione perfetta tra la mente e il corpo e prevede anche la
specializzazione nelle pratiche medicinali tradizionali.
Info,
videos and photos on the choreography martial art practiced in Kerala and in
Tamil Nadu.
The
training is taught at kalari (training school) begins with a full body massage
with oil are taught the act of chaattom (the jump), ottam (the race), marichil
(the somersault) etc.. , followed by lessons on the use of weapons such as
daggers, swords, spears, maces, bow and arrow etc.. The training aims to
perfect coordination between the mind and the body and also provides
specialization in traditional medicinal practices.
Kalaripayattu
- one of the oldest martial arts
(http://prd.kerala.gov.in/)
The
Initiation Ceremony
A
student is initiated into the Kalari usually at the age of seven, on an
auspicious day or on the opening day of the new session. The guru or a senior
student will direct him to enter the kalari properly by placing his right foot
first, touching the ground with right hand and placing the same on the
forehead. Then he is led to the guruttara to perform the same worship. He has
to put some money in folded betel leaves as offering dakshina for the master
and bow and prostrate before him, touching his legs. The guru places his hands
on the pupil head, blesses him and prays for his boon. This worship; touching
the ground, Poottara, Guruttara and the guru feet, is to be repeated everyday.
The bowing represents complete submission to the Kalari deities, Kalari master,
its rules and discipline.
Kachakettal
and Uzhichal
The
traditional dress used in Kalari is known as Kachha and its wearing method is
Kachha Kettal. Even though Kachha means only dress, it has a special
connotation. The Kachha is referred to in the Northern ballads as a long cloth with
64 Muzhams(one Muzham is equal to 16 inches). The present day Kachha used in
Kalari is of 5 to 6 feet length and one feet width. It is to be wrapped in a
particular method which gives maximum tightness to the hip and support cover to
the naval region. The belief that power is generated from the naval, is the
basis of the art of Kachha Kettal. The Kachha is also believed to be the
protector of one prana, the life force. All the heroes of the ballads who
succumbed to fatal wounds, have lived till they instruct their fellowmen untie
their Kachha. It is a practice to apply
gingely oil or medicated oil before kalarippayatt. This renders coolness and
flexibility to the body and invigorates the veins and muscles. Application of
this oil reduces body temperature, while performing exercises. The students of Kalarippayatt have to undergo
a course of Uzhichal or massage with special medicinal oil like Mukkoot or
Arakuzhambu. Usually an Uzhichal course lasts for 14 days. At the time of
uzhichal, the student has to follow strict restrictions in his daily routines.
He should not expose himself to the sun for a long time, should take only the
prescribed food and drink and should follow strict celibacy. Some restrictions
are to be followed for 14 days more after the uzhichal is over. The massage is
done with hands for the young and with legs the for elders. This is technically
called Kai Uzhichal and Chavitti Uzhichal respectively. Massage is considered
to be one of the integral parts of Kalari training, which helps the body to
attain a healthy constitution as well as flexibility, nimbleness and
suppleness. Moreover, massage enables proper blood circulation and removal of
excess of fat. It helps in the easy manoeuvrability of the body for turning and
twisting. Kalari has also developed a traditional orthopaedic system which is
widely popular all over the state, expecially for the setting of displaced
bones.
Training
Kalarippayatt
is designed in four successive stages of training Meippayatt, Koltari, Ankatari
and Verum Kai prayogam. The Meippayatt is a series of body control exercises,
systematically designed and practiced according to Vaytari or verbal
instructions. It is also known as Meiotukkappayatt; that which gives proper
orientation to the body, suppleness and flexibility. This also gives a natural
mastery to the body for swift movements in attack and defence. After mastering
Meippayatt, the student is initiated into the next stage of fighting with
wooden weapons called Koltari. Mastering Koltari leads to the Ankatari or
technique of fighting with metal weapons. Listly the student will be imparted
training in empty hand fighting techniques called verumkai prayogam. Selected,
well-disciplined and dedicated students will be given training in Marma
prayogam or attack on the vulnerable points of the body. In earlier periods,
training was given in the use of many other weapons like axe, three-proned
spear, and ponti. Archery was also included in the scheme of training. All
exercises in Kalari are performed in strict accordance with Vaytari or
systematically developed verbal instruction given by the Guru. The Vaytari is
designed specially to give strength, flexibility, endurance, reflex, nimbleness
and precision. The Kalarippayatt course extended throughout the year. Today,
most of the Kalaries except C.V.N.Kalari, Thiruvananthapuran and Kozhikode and
a few others, impart training through short term courses of three months
duration.
Vativu,
Chuvatu and Atavu
In
Kalarippayatt, different poses or vativus are designed and developed to get
concentration for perfect power and force in carrying out a particular action
or for being in readiness for action. There are eight such vativus namely-Gaja
Vativu(elephant pose), Aswa Vativu(horse pose), Simha Vativu(Lion pose), Varaha
Vativu(boar pose), Matsya Vativu(Fish pose), Marjar Vativu (Cat pose), Kukkuta
Vativu (Cock pose) amd Sarpa Vativu(Serpant pose), one more Vativu-mayura
Vativu (Peacock pose) is slo practiced in some kalaries. Each Vativu has its
own style, power combination, usefulness and effectiveness. Apart from these
Vativus, there are basic foot positions and movements, which are technically
called Chuvatus. These are designed to give more power, precision and
concentration to the action against the opponent. In chuvatu, the attention is
centred on the role of the feet. There are five such basic Chuvatus Vatta
Chuvatu, Aakka Chuvatu, Neekka Chuvatu, Kon Chuvatu and Ottakkal Chuvatu. These
Vativus and Chuvatus are scientifically combined to form what is called Atavus.
Meippayatt
Meippayatt
is the body control exercise designed in special sequence. It gives perfect
control and flexibility to the body and is a combination of vativu and Chuvatu
with body movements, holds, kicks, jumps and cuts. There is a traditional saying
that a kalari master is one, who has converted his body into an eye.
Before
training in Meippayatt, students are taught various leg exercises. The basic
leg exercises are Nerkal, Veetukal, Konkal, Thrichukal, Iruthikkal and
Pakarachakkal. The Nerkal is lifting the leg straight in the air till the knee
touches the chest. This process with right foot is called Valatukal and with
left, Etatukal right up forward kick and left up forward kick. The Veetukal is
the application of leg in the high swinging are or circling kick. The Konkal is
kick high to right or left ankles. In Iruthikkal or kick and sit, one will lift
his leg like the Nerkal and bring back that leg and ist on the ground. The
Pakarachakkal is a combination of Nerkal on either side in continuation. At
first, the leg is pushed up in the air and without placing it on the ground the
body will be turned into the opposite direction while the leg will be swinging
in the air. Some basic differences can be noticed in style, movements and even
in the application of Meippayatt in different areas of Kerala. There are
different styles like - Vattakkan, Madhya Kerala and Tekkan;(Northern, Central
Kerala and Southern). The regional differences in styles, might be due to the
innovative differences of regional masters of ancient days. Such regional
variations gave rise to differences in vaythari. The dialectical variations of
language and character of each region also contribute to this change of
vaythari.
Kettukari
or Shareeravadi
After
achieving perfect body control through Meippayatt, the Kalari student will be
initiated into the training of Koltari or fight with wooden weapons. There are
three types of wooden weapons used in the present day Kalaries Kettukari,
Muchhan and Otta. The Kettukari is a long rod made of solid cane with either
the height of the practitioner from foot to the eyebrow or 12 span in length.
In Koltari ankam, though there are 18 graded sequences or stages, at present
only 7 or 8 of them are retained and practised in the Kalaries. This fight with
a twelve spanner rod, combines blows, blocks and locks allied with jumps and
leaps for attack and defence. Fawcett in his Nayars of Malabar(1895) gives the
following description of the fight with Shareeravati. The opponents who faced
each other with the Shareeravadi, stood 30 feet apart, and as if under the same
stimulus, each kicked one leg high in the air, gave several lively bounces,
held their staff horizontally in front, came down slowly on the haunches, placed
the staff on the ground, bent over and touched it with their forehead. With a
sudden bounce they get again to their feet and after some preliminary
pirouetting, went for each other tooth and nail. 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. These attacks and its warding off are done according to
the accompaniment of Vaytari. 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 called
Vativeesal. Several folk tales elaborate the perfection of this technique. As one
of them goes, many a local here could walk in the rain by brandishing the staff
over the head, without being drenched. In the more advanced stages of
Kettukari, there are locking and unarming techniques with the staff itself.
Cheruvadi
or Muchhan
A Muchhan
(Three Spanner rod) or Cheruvadi, is a strong wooden staff, usually 22 inches
in length and bout 2 inches in diameter. The Amaram or holding end, will be
thicker than Muna or the using end. The Cheruvadi training requires more
precision and speed that the 12 spanner. The use of Cheruvadi consits of attack
, counter-attack, defence, use of locks, and unarming techniques. Variuos
Vativus and Chuvatus are combined in this graded attack and defence
combinations. An expert can execute not less than 150 blows per minute with
this seemingly simple weapon. Close range fight with the Muchhan is a basic
training for the close range metal weapons like knife and dagger.
Otta
(Curved Staff)
There is
a folk saying in North Malabar that Otta payattiyal Urakkattum payattum (one
who is proficient in Otta can even fight while sleeping). This shows the
importance attached to this curved wooden staff, which is considered as the
perfect weapon Kalarippayatt. An Otta is a short staff of about 18 to 20 inches
in length, shaped like a sickle, curved at the middle and terminating in a
squared butt end. The holding end will have 4 diameter and the using end, 1
diameter. Usually, the end will have a butt like projection. It was believed
that this weapon is inherited from the Lord Ganapati. The special feature of
Otta is that it comprises of thrusts directed at the vital points of the human
body called Marmas. The main features of Ottapayatt are combat at close
quarters and locks. The nimbleness of the wrist, readiness of the legs for
instant advance and retreat and quick mental reflexes are essential for this
fight. The Otta is also practised in accordance with Vaytari. It is the perfect
combination of all the strong and forceful aspects of Meippayatt and Koltari.
This also includes the techniques of Verumkai Prayogam or unarmed fighting
system. There are 18 atavus in Otta fight but at present only 12 are known to
exist in Kalaries. This is popular only in the northern style of Kalarippayatt.
Gadha
The club
or gadha is another wooden weapon used for training in the kalaries. The use of
this weapon requires strength, agility and perfect body control. It is heavy,
and the strenuous wielding of which has to follow strict rules and regulations.
The holding end of gadha is only 3 in diameter but the diameter of the using
end varies from 12 to 8. This is usually carved out of Tamarind core, with
length of 3 to 4 feet.
Ankatari
The
third main stage in Kalari course, 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 preliminary exercises with sword and
shield, comes under Valvali, which form the basis of swordsmanship. In this,
the sword is made to wind around the body in successive strokes along with
speedy body movements.
The duel
practised with sword and shield is called Val ankam or Puli 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 which are practised as per Vaytari. Apart from sword versus
sword there is another system of sword versus spear known as Mara Pitichu
Kuntam. In this combat, one will be armed with sword and shield and the other,
with spear only. There are ancient treatises, on making swords, which give
details of rituals. The Northern Ballads refer to blacksmiths who were
specialists in this craft. The length of sword used in Kalaries ranges from 18
ti 24. and the blade will have a width of 1-1/2 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. During the medieval days, the sword
was the symbol of Kalari trained persons and they always carried one sword with
them. Almost all the medieval travelers who came to Kerala, gave a good
description of these Kalari trained men who were bold, straight forward, ready
to challenge and die for any cause and were utmost true to their words.
Kattari
Kattari
is double edged dagger of 12 length and 2-1/2 width. 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 weapon 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 5-1/2 in length and one end is fixed with an iron
blade in the shape of a leaf or bud. There are traditional instructions for the
choice and treatment of cane to make it strong and smooth, for making Kunthams.
The Kuntham is held and used in almost the same way as the Kettukari. The
tactics of blows, hits and stretchings 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.
Urumi
Urumi is
the most popular weapon described in the Ballads of North Malabar. It is some
what an exclusive weapon, popular in the northern parts. It has a long blade
with spring like action, 41/2 to 51/2 in length and 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 her waist and use it, if
required. Unniarcha, one of the heroines of the ballads of North Malabar, is
said to be an expert in the use of this weapon. While practicing urumi, shield
is used for self defence. It is a dangerous weapon as it will coil round the
user, if he fails to keep its correct speed, wrist-work and pose. There were a
number of other weapons on which practices were held in Kalaries and referred
to in medieval literature(like ponti, bow and arrow, Venmazhu(axe), Kathuthala,
and trisool), but have almost vanished from the Kalaries of today.
Verum
Kai Prayogam
The
Verum Kai Prayogam or unarmed fighting technique, is the fourth stage of Kalari
training. This is a unique method of offence and defence. In this technique,
various holds, grips and locks are combined with knuckle and elbow hits
directed at Marmas or vital points of the opponents body. By this method, one
can disable an enemy completely. Usually, knowledge of this kind is not passed
on indiscriminately to any one but only to those with a disciplined life who
guarantees that the knowledge will not be misused. There are a number of
scholars who believe that the unarmed fighting techniques of Kalarippayatt is
the base for the world famous Karate. The system of Kalarippayatt had undergone
changes and had taken up a number of regional variations. These variations gave
birth to different styles and schools. There were Arappa Kai, Vatteen Tiruppu
and Pilla Tangi in the Norther style, Kalam chavittu, Otimurisseri and
Dronanpullil Sampradayam in the Central Kerala, and Adi-Tada in Southern
Kerala. The popular system which spread to all parts of Kerala, today, is the
Arappa Kai. It is a well graded combination of Meippayatt, training in
wooden-weapons, metallic weapons and Verum Kai Prayogam.
