Probably one of the oldest fighting styles in the world, Kalaripayattu is the traditional martial art practiced in Kerala and is known to be in practice for more than five hundred years.
The word ‘Kalari’ refers to the place of practice and ‘Payattu’ means practice. Kalari is to be considered as a Temple and one has to enter bare foot placing the right leg first into the Kalari.
A one hour evening performance of Kalaripayattu in Munnar, started with a pooja(prayer) and One should worship the Poothara, Ganapatithara and
Guruthara. Lamps are lit at Poothara(A platform where flowers are kept).Poothara is a seven-step raised platform with a lotus-shaped kumbha.
Ganapatithara and Guruthara are the places where one worships
Ganapati.The Kalari is protected by various other deities .Lamps are lit around the Kalari.
This is followed by the amazing display of flexibility and various form of exercises performed by the artists showcasing their fighting skills with weapons like swords,spears and shield,metallic belt kind of weapons ,dagger,sticks and with bare hands.There is also a display of fire.
It is believed that this style of martial art has been adapted into other martial arts like judo, karate.
At the end of the Kalari session, one should worship the Poothara, Ganapatithara and Guruthara and move backwards up to the entrance.
Read Kalaripayattu Wiki for more details.The cost per person for the show was Re 200/-. and we definitely experienced the breath taking moments.Don't miss this if you happen to be at this part of the world.
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