Kalaripayattu
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| Focus | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Hardness | Full-contact, Semi-contact |
| Country of origin | India |
| Creator | Shiva, Agastya or Parashurama according to local myths |
| Olympic sport | No |
| Meaning | "Practice in the arts of the battlefield." |
Kalaripayattu (Malayalam:കളരിപ്പയറ്റ്) is a martial art, which originated as a style in Kerala, southern India. The word kalari first appears in the Tamil Sangam literature to describe both a battlefield and combat arena. The word kalari tatt denoted a martial feat, while kalari kozhai meant a coward in war. Each warrior in the Sangam era received regular military training. It is considered to be one of the oldest fighting systems in existence. It was originally practiced in northern and central parts of Kerala and southern parts of Tamil Nadu. The Sri Lankan martial art Angampora also exhibits strong similarities with Kalaripayattu, which explains the extent of patronage this art has enjoyed in the past. Currently many other Indian states also practice this martial art.
Early written evidence of martial arts in Southern India dates back to the Sangam literature of about the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD. The Akananuru and Purananuru describe the use of spears, swords, shields, bows and silambam in the Sangam era. The word kalari appears in the Puram (verses 225, 237, 245, 356) and Akam (verses 34, 231, 293) to describe both a battlefield and combat arena. The word kalari tatt denoted a martial feat, while kalari kozhai meant a coward in war. Each warrior in the Sangam era received regular military training in target practice, horse and elephant riding. They specialized in one or more of the important weapons of the period including the spear (vel), sword (val), shield (kedaham), and bow and arrow (vil ambu). The combat techniques of the Sangam period were the earliest precursors to kalaripayat. References to "Silappadikkaram" in Sangam literature date back to the 2nd century. This referred to the silambam staff which was in great demand with foreign visitors.
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