KALRI PAYATTU

KALRI PAYATTU

Parasurama the mythical creator of Kerala, instituted 108 Kalaries all over the land. This legend on the origin of the institution propagated by Keralolpathi, still lingers in the minds of the Keralites. Some masters believe that the Kalari system originated out of the wrath of Lord Siva while in his fury, to destroy Dakhsayaga, Parasurama, Lord Siva's disciple, is supposed to have studied this art from his and have handed it over to his 21 disciples in Kerala. All such legends, propagate the theory that his martial art was brought to Kerala by the Brahmins.

The first historical interpretation of the origin of the Kalari system was given by Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai. The argument that Kalari was derived from Sanskrit is questionable, as the word 'Kalari' is seen repeatedly in early Tamil anthologies.

The Ballads of North Malabar, a collection of heroic songs, have reference to different types of Kalaries like Ankakkalari, Patanilam, Totuvorkalari, Totukalari and Cherukalari. Technical writings named the Kalaries on the basis of functional structures, viz., Netumkalari, Kurumkalari, Totukalari and Cherukalari. Apart from referring to local Kalaries like Matayikalari, Melurkalari, Chovvakalrai and Mayyazhikalari, the Ritualistic songs of Theyyam known as Tottam Pattukal refer to caste Kalaries like Tiyyar Kalari, Pular Kalari, Choyyikalari, Kanisan Kalari, Namboori Kalari and the like. The table given below highlights the different types of kalaries and their locations.

There were two distinct types of Kalaries; Kuzhikalari in the North and Nilakkalari in the south of Kerala

The Nilakkalaries of Southern Kerala are made by constructing mud or stone walls around the appropriate area to a height of 5 feet, and roofing it with coconut leaves.Kalarippayattu is designed in four successive stages of training Meippayattu, Koltari, Ankatari and Verum Kaiprayogam.

The Kalarippayattu course extended throughout the year. Today, most of the Kalaries except C.V.N Kalari, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode and a few others, impart training through short term courses of three months duration.