Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

The right moves Before the movements begin

We step into a spacious hall, the sacred Poothara. The walls are adorned with swords, spears, shields that speak of the mystical sanctity of kalaripayattu. Considered the mother of all oriental martial arts, kalarippayat has links with Kathakali and other dance forms. Narayanan Asan explains, “The aim of kalarippayat is not only self-defence and offence. It is also about strengthening of the mind through physical exercise. It disciplines both mind and body and enables one to face challenges in life.”

Kalarippayat consists of ‘adavus.’ Even one ‘adavu,’ if mastered, will suffice. Learning the eighteen ‘adavus’ takes one, many, many years. E.N.S. Kalari follows both the northern and southern styles of combat. The four categories of northern style, Maithari, Kolthari, Ankathari and Verum Kaithari, are taught here. A student of Meyppayat, an advanced northern form, imbibes the ‘Ashtavadivukal-Gajavadive’ (strength); ‘Kukkudavadive’ (jumping ability); ‘Ashvavadive’ (speed ; ‘Simhavadive’ (courage, majestic bearing); ‘Matsyavadive’ (stamina); ‘Vyaagravadive’ (hunting prowess); ‘Maarjaravadive’ (sensitivity) and ‘Sarpavadive’ (flexibility).

I followed Vijayasree’s expert instructions for a typical beginner’s session. It had leg training and hand training, as part of ‘Maithari’ or physical exercises. I swung my right leg forward to hip-level; inhaling with both hands above my head, palm-to-palm. I could feel my spine straightening. Exhaling, I brought the right leg down. The same process was repeated with the left leg. I followed Asan’s count, ‘valathu nere, edathu nere....” Alternating with each leg, I turned around at the fifth move and proceeded backwards. I completed three rounds. This was getting to be fun!

The next step was hand training, which is the initiation for ‘chuvadukal’. Keeping the right leg forward, I drew a circle in the air using my left hand, inhaling and made a slapping motion with my right hand, exhaling. I repeated this procedure alternating both sides. Repeating it ten times made up for one count. Three more counts and I wound up, feeling happy with myself. And when Vijayasree demonstrated some manoeuvres, I was impressed by the grace and agility that only Kalari practitioners possess.

At the end of the session, minor aches aside, I felt totally recharged.

Narayanan Asan points out, “Kalarippayat involves three aspects - Ritual, Education and Treatment. The ritual is the offering ‘gurudakshina’ and a prayer by the disciple, intended to gain discipline, concentration and a respectful attitude. Teaching is through ‘vaythari’ or verbal comments. Treatment consists of ‘uzhichil’ where oil massage is done for lubrication of joints in case of body pain or accidents. Anyone, from seven to 70 years, with the right bent of mind, can learn Kalarippayat.”

Contact 2700810 or 9447070081 or visit www.enskalari.org.in

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail