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Kalaripayattu
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A
Sound Mind in a Sound Body..... |
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Kalaripayattu,
the revered physical culture and traditional martial art form of kerala
is believed to have orginated in early 4th century A.D. Legend has it that
Lord Parasurama instituted this tradition after reclaiming kerala from the
Arabian Sea. |
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The
name Kalari has been derived from the sanskrit word Khaloorika
meaning the place where the art of wielding weapons and the moulding
of body is imparted. Kalari in common parlance means a gymnasium
and payattu, the wielding of weapons and physique. |
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Rigorous
and disciplined training under the strict guidance of a Guru (Teacher)
is essential for learning this art which had once, immense impact on the
socio-political institutions of medieval Kerala. |
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"A
Sound in a Sound Body" can be considered as the motto of kalaripayattu. |
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This
heritage of physical culture enjoys a profound status in the life of an
individual even today in kerala. |
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KALARIPAYATTU
TRAINING |
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The
training in Kalari normally begins at the age of seven when the
body is most supple receptive and the same time less vulnerable. However
this art can be learned by any age group under the strict guidance of a
guru. |
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The
Kalari training is mainly divided into three stages - the Meythari, the
Kolthari and the Ankathari. A student is initiated into Kalari
training beginning with Maythari, a set of body-exercises to attain
body control, balance and stamina to withstand arduous feats with wood and
metallic weapons. |
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Kolathari
the next stage prepares oneself for various attacks and defencewith
the help of sticks ranging from 1.5 feet to 6 feet. Ankathari, the
third stage of training is aimed at using metallic weapons like dagger,
sword and shield, spear, urumi - the flexible sword, and a combination
of attacks and defence with them. |
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