KALARIPAYIT --The martial art of India

Some History of Kalaripayit

Kalaripayit is a martial practised in Kerala and Tamil nadu.....and
the name means "Battlefield Training".It's orgins are vague,But interestingly some of Postures and basic fighting technique are often seen portrayed in statues of God krishna and Parsuraman which were carved 4,000 years ago.The art indentifies itself with Kali,the goddess of war,and also the legendary founder of the cult of Thugee,which was a anti-British organization bent upon riding India of the English.In the Latter part of nineteenth century Thugee gangs,many of whom were kalaripayit disciples,sneaked the English barracks and homes to strangle their victims silently with a silken scraf which had an indian rupee encased within its folds.The coin pressed violently against the larynx and chocked the unsuspecting victim to death.The English word 'Thug' is derived from this gruesome Indian cult.

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Style forms of Kalaripayit

Kalaripayit is split into two distinct styles which have gone their seperate ways

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                 |THEKAN STYLE|   |VADANKAN STYLE|
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The Thekan ("meaning South")Style is practised by South keralites and the Tamil,s .In this style more importance is given to the free hand and hand techiniques are very fast.This style combines a hard and soft techniques to acheive a effective and complete

The Vadakan Style is practised mainly in North Kerala ie ..in the "Malabar". The Northern system ,which has incredibly high kicking techniques and foot sweeping manoeuvres,is deeply rooted in religious beliefs.Most masters of the art perform a double function ,acting as both a martial arts instructor and a local doctor.The medicine practised is the Traditional Ayurvedic system.This involes deep massage of a patient's body,along with the use of herbs and drugs to facilitate recovery.

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Branches of Kalaripayit

Both the northern and southern styles have four main branches attached to the art.These are unarmed training,selambam training(stick fighting),weapon arts and lastly a secret art that only the most advanced students were allowed to learn .This final part of the training involves attacking the vital points of the body ,a nd resuscitation methods.Because of the tremendous suppleness of the kalaripayit practitioners, they can execute blocks and attacks from a position almost like sitting.Low postures are performed for ducking under attacks or avoiding strikes .From a crouching position the practitioners can leap several feet in the air twisting his kicks and strikes outwards,thus catching an opponent unawares and battering his body with an onslaught of foot attacks.The fighter can land in a crouch or even a complete leg splits; his legs can then sweep outwards taking his attacker off the balance and on to the floor.

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Requirements for this art

This art deals with awakening an energy within oneself. Everyone has this energy, it is not a mystical force or an occult phenomena. Like a muscle it needs to be worked, if not worked it simply does the minimum it needs to do to sustain life. When worked it can enhance life, by healing, sensitivity, and defending oneself. This helps to promote health, increases you potential power, and lessons your telegraphing to your opponent. Also, when striking you will have more of a thought of following through. Thus more effect and the ability to continue if necessary because you will have learned endurance.

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Information about the Classes