Kalari - THE MOTHER OF MARTIAL ARTS

Author : Sriman Mahavirya das
Email : [email protected]
Date Produced : March 15, 2011
Editor : Sriman Subhananda Hari Das
Serial No. : 41 of 54

1. Author : Sriman Mahavirya das Email : [email protected] Date Produced : March 15, 2011 Editor : Sriman Subhananda Hari Das Serial No. : 41 of 54 KALARI THE MOTHER OF MARTIAL ARTS

2. STRUCTURE What is Kalari ? History of Kalari Weapons in Kalaripayattu Modern modifications and origin of other martial arts Kalari Practice Stances in Kalari Marma and Marma therapy Role of Kalari in implementing Daiva Varnasrama Dharma Shri Parasuram’s Vedic Martial Arts Get- Involved

3. What is Kalari ? payattu ( Malayalam :പയററ് ) derived from payattuka meaning to "fight/ exercise" or "to put hard work into". Kalari ( Malayalam :കളരി ) meaning school The term Kalaripayattu is a compound from the words

4. What is Kalari ? Kalari is considered as the arena where a traditional physio-psychological discipline is practiced which helps to generate physical, mental and spiritual benefits. The Kalari legacy is also considered as a scientific system of physical-culture training beneficial to the modern sportsman and physical culturist. The arena of practicing this spiritual art is called as Kalari which literally means a place where the knowledge is being taught. The oriental architectonic science "VASTU SASTRA" determines the architecture of the Kalari space in a scientific manner.

5. History of Kalari Sage Parasurama is the master of all Martial Art forms and is credited to be the re-claimer of Kerala from the Arabian Sea known as Parasurama Srusthi . Kalaripayattu originated in ancient South India. One of the oldest fighting systems in existence Kalaripayattu includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods.

6. History of Kalari Taught in Kerala (including Tulunadu i.e. Kasaragud , Mangalore and Udupi ). The art was learnt by Chinese travelers and hence travelled to China as well as other Mongolian countries .

7. Weapons in Kalaripayattu Val Sword Paricha Buckler Kettukari / Neduvati / Shareeravadi / Pirambu Staff Kurunthadi / Cheruvadi / Muchan Stick Kuruvadi Short stick Lathi Long stick Kuntham Spear Vettukathi Kukri /Machete Gada Mace/Club Churika Short sword Maduvu Deer-horn dagger Kattari Dagger Otta Curved stick Urumi /Chuttuval Flexible sword

8. Weapons in Kalaripayattu

9. Modern Modifications and Origin of Other Martial Arts Kung- fu, popularized by the monks of the Shoaling Temple traces its ancestry to Bodhi Dharma - an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master. Other Martial Arts: Kung Fu – China Karate – Japan Thai Kick boxing – Ong Bak – Thailand Taekwondo – Korea etc.

10. Kalari Practice Specific commands associated with each exercise are called vaytari . Kaalkal Kaalkal literally means legs. In the kalari context, it refers to kicks as well as leg-raising exercises ( kaal eduppu ) to increase flexibility. Paada chakram (round kick- inside to outside) Paada Bhramanam (round kick- outside to inside) ner kaal (straight kick) kona kaal (right to left, left to right kick) veethi kaal (round kick - inside out) ner-kona-veethi kaal (combined kick) thirichi kaal (both side kick - kick straight turn around and kick) aga kaal (round kick - outside in) iruththi kaal (kick and sit) iruththi kaal 2 (kick and sit - turn and sit)

11. Kalari : Few photos

12. Stances in Kalari Gajavadivu Elephant stance Simhavadivu Lion stance Asvavadivu Horse stance Varahavadivu Boar stance Sarpavadivu Snake stance Marjaravadivu Cat stance Kukkuvadivu Rooster stance Matsyavadivu Fish stance ( Gurukkal Govindankutty Nayar and the C.V.N. Style) Mayuravadivu Peacock stance ( Gurukkal P. K. Balan Style)

13. Marma and Marma Therapy

14. Marma and Marma Therapy You cannot be a fighter without knowing how to heal your wounds. The word ' marma ' was used for the first time in Atharva Veda (ancient Indian scripture). The main distinguishing feature of the kalaripayattu master's medical expertise from that of others is his psycho-physiological  training as a martial artist and his practical knowledge of the body's vital spots ' Marma '.

15. Marma and Marma Therapy According to marma adi , our body is crisscrossed like irrigation channels with meridians, a closed interconnecting system through which prana flows in the body. While acupressure, or shiatsu , follows a 14-meridian theory (with 361 marma or tsubo points), marma shastra believes there are 26 meridians in all. Of these, 12 are located in pairs on the left and right sides. In addition to their martial art expertise, Kerala's traditional Kalaripayattu practitioners are also highly skilled in this therapy form.

16. Marma and Marma Therapy Treatments cover specific injuries or pathological conditions including bruises, joint dislocations, bone fractures, emaciation of muscles and limbs and post operative orthopedic rehabilitation. The therapies also include the emergency counter-applications for potentially deadly shocks or blows to the body's vital spots, Marma . The therapies also include various internal medications specified according to the particular situation.

17. Marma and Marma Chikitsha Treatment

18. Role of Kalari in Implementing Daiva Varnasrama Dharma Martial Arts is essential for ksatriya training Self-defense is an art for everyone Protection is especially meant for cows, brahmanas , women, children and old men Kalari provides training to all varnas, especially to the ksatriya varna ( ksatriya gurukula) Kalari aims to revive the ancient marma treatment to help the suffering once again become contributors to the society

19. Varnasrama College

20. Efforts of Daiva Varnasrama Ministry The ministry will establish “Shri Parasuram’s Vedic Martial Arts”. The ministry will help introduce “ Ksatriya Gurukulas ” to propagate the practice of Kalari . The Ksatriya Dharma department of the Daiva Varnasrama Ministry focuses on “protection”, “administration” and “welfare” of the general society.

21. Om Sri Surabhyai Namah ! Sriman Mahavirya das

22. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Name Sriman Mahavirya das Age and Gender 31, Male    Country/Province of Origin India, Karnataka   Educational Degree and Year Kalari Graduate, 2006    Educational Institution Hindustan Kalari Sangam , Kerela   Professional Work/Experience Instructor/ Marma Therapist   Affiliation with ISKCON Since 2011   Present Service in ISKCON Instructor/Therapist