VADAKKAN KALARI
KALARI
VADAKKAN KALARI
It is generally regarded as the original form of Kalaripayattu. It is rooted on the slogan, “Mey Kannavanam”, meaning ‘make the body an eye’, focusing on physical flexibility exercises. These are a combination of flexibility exercises with offensive and defensive techniques. Traditionally the number of each item may differ as per the teaching methods of the guru. Here, Sanathana Parambarya Kalari Sangham follows the ‘Arappakai’ method of Vadakkan Kalari.
STAGES OF KALARIPAYATTU
In Vadakkan Kalari, there are mainly 5 stages :
Mey Payattu (Meythari)
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Vadipayattu (Kolthari)
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Valpayattu (Angathari)
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Verumkai Prayogam
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Marma Chikitsa
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Students need to practice only up to the 4th stages, where as 5th Marma chikista is compulsory for teachers /gurukkal
The students should go through Kalukal (strikes & kicks), Chattangal (jumps), Kaikuthipayattu, Chuvadadi, Kaithada etc. to expertise in Kalari.
Muchan (short wooden stick), Kettukari (long wooden stick), Ottakol (curved wooden stick) are the wooden weapons used in Kalaripayattu and are included in Vadipayattu/Kolthari.
Kathi (knife), Kadara (dagger), gada, udaval (sword), kuntham (spear), paricha (shield) and urumi (flexible sword) are the metal weapons used in Ankathari of Kalaripayattu.