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Synergy of art and science

Coordinating muscles Students performing stretching exercises

When you wish to be as fit as a fiddle, just hark back to the past because our heritage seems to have antidotes even for modern lifestyle disorders. And here in Kerala, when we are blessed with an ancient art form like Kalaripayattu, it’s a p ity that we don’t use it to our advantage.

Kalaripayattu, which is derived from the words ‘Kalari,’ which means “a place, threshing floor, or battlefield,” and ‘payattu,’ which means to “exercise in arms or practice.”

Says G. Sathyanarayanan, guru at C.V.N. Kalari in the city: “Kalaripayattu is a psycho-physical disciplining of our entire self. This form of exercise helps your body find the right balance to build a healthy lifestyle.”

The emphasis is on discipline, dedication and devotion. This traditional art form effortlessly harmonises the synergy of art, science and medicine. It shows us the way to a healthy way of living through our actions/exercise and through rejuvenation in cases of stress or strain. As compared to many modern-day exercises that gives importance to muscular build-up, Kalari is made up of neuro-muscular activities that accentuate general flexibility and general coordination of the body.

Points out Sathyanarayanan: “Kalari is a natural form of exercising that is ideal for the body, making it flexible, responsive and coordinated.”

This 3,000 year old fitness mantra is practised in an enclosure called ‘Kalari.’

Says Giri Prasad, whose 10-year-old son Aditya Narayan, is a student of Kalaripayattu: “I enrolled my son here a year ago as I wanted him to inculcate good habits along with the regime for a healthy lifestyle. Along with building his concentration and confidence, his whole attitude has changed for the better.”

Adds Sathyanarayanan: “The ideal age to begin learning Kalaripayattu is between the ages of 10 and 15 years.”

But it isn’t that one can’t reap its benefits at a later age. Take Jiveen Lal from New Zealand, who has come here to experience our culture and tradition.

“I began learning the basics of Kalaripayattu from March (2009) onwards but I can already experience its advantages. At first I used to get tired but it has improved my posture, flexibility, solved my joint problems, and I feel really light and energetic. I can’t master its postures and movements but I can still profit from its basics.”

Agrees Sathyanarayanan who points out that you do not get the instant effects that you get to see when you do modern exercises. “Kalari,” he says “is a way of life. It takes at least three years to master it, if followed rigorously. The youth of the present generation want to build a toned muscular body. Kalari doesn’t cater to this concept. Kalari is all about self-discipline and self expression. It’s more like a ritual, a performance. The aesthetics involved give it a devotional dynamism.”

In this age of contradictions (awareness of health and fitness as against the inertia that weighs down our daily lifestyle), there is a re-thinking towards these traditional forms of body training.

A new batch begins the second week of June. C.V.N. Kalari is also conducting an audition for boys between the ages of 15 and 20 who would like to be trained in Kalaripayattu. The selected students would be given specialised training, discounts in fees and other facilities.

Contact: 0471 2474182

Sathyanarayan: 9633354156

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