CVN Kalari
Think you're pretty fit for your age? If you do, you should watch a Kalaripayat expert in action. He'll surely make you feel like a worn old bag! Kalarippayat (Kalari, the arena for practice and payat, the art of fighting) is the unique martial art of Kerala, which has its roots in the Dhanurveda, the oldest available text on war-fare. In fact most of the popular martial arts of the world have been influenced directly or indirectly by this art.
Unlike other martial arts, the person practicing Kalari wears no protective armour even while engaged in combat with sharp weapons. For his self-defence, he depends completely on his alertness and agility, using various steps and swift movements. A good place to get a taste of this fascinating art form would be the C.V.N. Kalari Sangham, the Kalari and Ayurvedic treatment centre at Nadakkavu, Calicut. Established in 1955, this is a well-known institute for training in this ancient system of martial art and physical culture. The gurus, the teachers of the Kalari apart from being masters at Kalarippayat are also adept in the Kalari way of treatment for muscular, neuro and orthopaedic disorders and body massaging (uzhichil) for general health. There is a presiding diety for the Kalari - Lord Shiva in combination with Goddess Shakti, and traditional lamps are lit and worship conducted daily.
Many of the classical folk-art forms of Kerala have come under the influence of Kalarippayat. The concept of body training aimed at perfect psychophysical integration has attracted considerable interest from dance and acting circles in western countries and the C.V.N. Kalari receives many foreign students. Lecture demonstrations, workshops and short duration courses are conducted for visiting tourists.
No comments:
Post a Comment