Southern Kalaripayattu

Kalarippayatt (Malayalam: കളരിപ്പയറ്റ്) is an Indian martial art practiced in Kerala and neighboring parts of Tamil Nadu. [cite book |last=Zarrilli |first=Phillip B. |title=When the Body Becomes All Eyes: Paradigms, Discourses and Practices of Power in Kalarippayatt, a South Indian Martial Art |year=1998 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford] It incorporates strikes, kicks, grappling, and weaponry, as well as healing techniques. [Zarrilli 1998] Some of its choreographed sparring can be applied to dance. [Zarrilli 1998]

In southern styles of kalarippayatt (practiced mainly in old Travancore including the present Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu) [Zarrilli 1998] , practice and fighting techniques emphasize empty hands and application from the first lesson. [Zarrilli 1998] In the southern styles the stages of training are Chuvatu (solo forms), Jodi (partner training/sparring), Kurunthadi (short stick), Neduvadi, Katthi, Katara, valum parichayum, Chuttuval, double sword and Marmma and kalari grappling. [Luijendijk, D.H. (2005) Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art, Paladin Press, ISBN 1-58160-480-7] The southern styles of kalarippayatt have been practiced primarily by a section of Nairs, Nadars, and Ezhavas of Kerala and a small section of Kallars and Maravars, [Zarrilli 1992] of erstwhile Travancore areas.

Zarrilli refers to southern kalarippayatt as "ati mura" (the 'law of hitting') or "marma ati" (hitting the vital spots) or Varma ati or Varma Kalari . [Zarrilli 1998] The preliminary empty-hand techniques of ati mura are known as "Adithada" (hit/defend). [Zarrilli 1998] Varma ati refers specifically to the application of these techniques to vital spots. [Zarrilli 1998] Weapons may include Chilambam (long staffs), short sticks, and double deer horns. [Zarrilli 1992] . Southern styles of kalarippayatt are not practised in special roofed pits but rather in the open air, or in an unroofed enclosure of palm branches. [Zarrilli 1998] Masters are known as "asan" rather than "gurukkal". [Zarrilli 1998] The founder and patron saint is believed to be the rishi Agasthya rather than Parasurama. [Zarrilli 1998]

Medical treatment in southern styles of kalarippayattndash which "does" include massagendash is identified with Dravidian Siddha medicine, which is regarded as being as sophisticated asndash though distinct fromndash Ayurveda. [Zarrilli 1992] The Dravidian Siddha medical system is also known as "Siddha Vaidyam" and, like ati mura, is attributed to the rishi Agasthya. The active suppression of Nairs in southern Kerala led to the virtual extinction of their southern "dronamballi sampradayam" by the mid-1950s. [Zarrilli 1998]

Varma Kalari - Neuro Martial Art

A great warfare, part of southern style of kalarippayatt, practised by the Royal Thiruppad Nadans to defeat/kill the enemy without any external injuries are called Varmam or Marmam. Varma Kalari is the master of all arts, royal to its name, practised by special Asaans (super masters). An Asaan of special rank is a super master over 108 Kalaries, which were the real kingmakers like the ancient Gramavadins or Gramanis, a term applied to communities like Nadars and Ezhavas. They were the very ancient ruling tribes of India. Link: [http://www.gemify.com/private/hrpt/varmam.html]

ilambam

Silambam is a stick fighting, part of southern style of kalarippayatt. This style supposedly originates from the Kurinji hills, present day kerala Kerala, 5000 years ago, where natives were using bamboo staves to defend themselves against wild animals.Link [http://www.silambam.com/SomebasicfactsaboutSilambam.html] . The natives called Narikuravar were using a staff called Chilambamboo as a weapon to defend themselves against wild animals, and also to display their skill during their religious festivals. The Hindu scholars and yogies who went to the Kurinji mountains to meditate got attracted by the display of this highly skilled spinning Chilambamboo.

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