Chinese Culture >> Chinese Society Traditions >> Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu is the ancient martial art of the State. It is
considered as the forerunner of Karate & Kung-fu. The Kalari is treated as the
temple of learning. Age-old traditions and customs are still practiced inside
the Kalari. The Gurukkal system consists of rigorous physical training besides
training in self-discipline. The weapons used were the sword, Dagger, Shield,
short sticks, spears etc. The co-ordination of the body and mind is given
maximum importance in this art.
The Orient's treasure trove, a gift to the modern world and the mother of all
martial arts. Legend traces the 3000-year-old art form to Sage Parasurama- the
master of all martial art forms and credited to be the re-claimer of Kerala from
the Arabian Sea. Kalaripayattu originated in ancient South India. Kung- fu,
popularized by the monks of the Shoaling Temple traces its ancestry to Bodhi
Dharma - an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master.
Architectural design of traditional kalari
The art is trained in an enclosure called 'Kalari', which is 21 feet by 42 feet.
The entrance faces the east. In the south-west corner is a seven-tiered platform
called the "poothara", which houses the guardian deity of the kalari. These
seven steps sy
mbolise seven abilities each person requires. They include Vigneswa (Strength),
Channiga (patience), Vishnu (commanding power), Vadugashcha (the posture),
Tadaaguru (training), Kali (the expression) and Vakasta - purushu (sound). Other
deities, most of them incarnations of the Bhagavathi or Shiva, are installed in
the corners.
The origin of the Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu is perhaps the most ancient martial art in the world. Religions
have incorporated Kalaripayattu into their realm. The origin of Kalaripayattu is
still in the midst of obscurity. Traditional Kalari masters attribute
mythological stories and legends to the origin of the art. Legend traces the
3000-year-old art form to Sage Parasurama- the master of all martial art forms
and credited to be the re-claimer of Kerala from the Arabian Sea.
At the turn of the 6th century A.D.,
marital arts
spread from Southern India to China by Daruma Bodhidarma - an Indian Buddhist
monk and Kalaripayattu master. From China, martial arts have spread to Korea &
Japan. Kalaripayattu is derived from the words Kalari - which means "place,
threshing floor, or battlefield", and payattu - which means to "exercise in arms
or practice".
Kalari's influence on other arts
Kalaripayattu has strongly influenced the evolution of several of Kerala's
theatre and dance forms, most prominently Kathakali and Theyyam. Kathakali
practitioners are required to train under Kalari masters to develop various
attributes such as fitness, stamina, and martial movements enacted in their
performances. Kalari practitioners claim that Bodhi Dharma, a Buddhist monk who
was responsible for training the Shaolin monks in kung-fu, was in fact a Kalari
master.
Resuregence of kalaripayattu Following the collapse of the princely states and
the advent of free India - Kalaripayattu had lost its significance as a mortal
combat code. Fortunately, Kalaripayattu has successfully survived the steady and
sad decline in popularity. Kalaripayattu now has a compelling global audience
and its fame and glory has won hearts all over.
In a Phoenix like resurrection, Kalaripayattu is today emerging in a new avatar
- an ancient art form - a source of inspiration for self-expression in dance
forms - both traditional and contemporary, in theatre, in fitness and in movies
too.
About the Author:
eKnow Inc. Staff, Joined eKnow Inc. in 2008 as a part time content editorial.
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