Martial Arts Of The World - Webs

named after dynamic animals such as the horse, peacock, serpent, lion, and
the like. Students eventually take up weapons, beginning with the long staff
(kettukari) and then advancing to the short stick (ceruvadi), curved elephant
tusk–like otta (which introduces empty-hand combat), dagger, sword and
shield, flexible sword, mace, and spear.
Closely related to kalarippayattu in the southern Kerala region known
as Travancore, which borders the present-day Tamil Nadu State, is the
martial art known variously as adi murai (the law of hitting), varma ati
(hitting the vital spots), or chinna adi (Chinese hitting). Some general features
of the Tamil martial arts clearly distinguish them from kalarippayattu—they
were traditionally practiced in the open air or in unroofed enclosures
by Nadars, Kallars, and Thevars. These are three relatively
“low-ranking” castes of Travancore District. Nadar was used as a title
granted to some families by the ancient Travancore kings. During the last
few centuries, a number of Nadars in the southern part of Travancore converted
to Christianity, and, given their historical practice of fighting arts,
some claim to be from the traditional princely class (Kshatriya). These
forms begin with empty-hand combat rather than preliminary exercises.
Students learn five main methods of self-defense, including kuttacuvat and
ottacuvat (sequences of offensive and defensive moves in combinations),
kaipor (empty-hand combat), kuruvatippayattu (stickfighting), netuvatippayattu
(short-staff combat), and kattivela (knife against empty hand).
Beginning in 1958 with the founding of the Kerala Kalarippayattu Association
as part of the Kerala State Sports Council, the Tamil forms become
known as “southern-style kalarippayattu” in contrast to kalarippayattu
per se, which became known as “northern” kalarippayattu, since it
was extant primarily in the central and northern Kerala regions. The association
began with seventeen kalari, as the groups that practice the art are
called, with the goals of “encouraging, promoting, controlling, and popularizing”
kalarippayattu, holding annual district and state championships,
setting standards for practice and construction of kalari, accreditation and
affiliation of member kalari, and the like. Today well over 200 kalari are
either officially affiliated with the association or remain unaffiliated.
Students of northern and southern kalarippayattu practice a variety of
form training, either solo or in pairs (with weapons), at the yearly district
and statewide competitions and are judged by a panel of masters. The
panel awards certificates and trophies in individual aspects of the art, as
well as choosing overall champions in each of the two styles.
Phillip B. Zarrilli
See also Kalarippayattu; Religion and Spiritual Development: India;
Thang-Ta; Varma Ati; Wrestling and Grappling: India; Written Texts:
India
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