origin of kalaripayattu

It is said that the word "Kalaripayattu" comes from the Hindu deity called Khaloorika Bhagavathy. Often used in Sangam literature is the term Kalari. The Akananuru and Purananuru define the Sangam period use of spears, swords, shields, bows, and silambam. In the Puram and Akam, the word kalari also appears to describe both a battlefield and an arena of combat.The term kalari tatt denoted a military achievement, while kalari kozhai signified wartime cowardice. Each Sangam-era warrior received regular military training in target practice, riding horses, and riding elephants. The word used for military and military service was chevam during that period, and during later periods. During military service the warriors or soldiers were called Chekavar. They specialized in one or more of the period's most important weapons, including spear (vel), sword (valve), shield (kedaham), and arrow and bow (vil ambu).Sangam Period fighting tactics were the earliest precursors to Kalaripayattu. Silappadikkaram references in Sangam literature date back to the 2nd century. This refers to the silambam workers who were in great demand with international tourists. Other sources suggest the term Kalari is derived from Sri Vidhya Mantra's first three letters.

Within the martial arts were integrated elements from the yoga tradition as well as finger gestures in the nata dances. A number of South Asian styles of fighting remain closely related to yoga, dance, and performing arts. Many of Kalaripayattu's choreographed sparring can be related to music, and it was assumed that Kathakali dancers who knew Kalaripayattu were significantly better than others. Until recently only martial artists performed the Chhau dance. Some traditional classical Indian dance schools also include martial arts as part of their workout programme.

Kalaripayattu includes methods of punching, kicks, wrestling, preset forms, arms, and healing. Regional variants are classified by geographic location in Kerala; these are the Northern style of the Malabar region in northern Kerala, and the Southern style of southern Kerala. Northern Kalaripayattu, or "Vadakkan Kalari," is focused on graceful and agile maneuvers, evasions, leaps, and weapons training, whereas the southern "Thekkan Kalari" style is trained in fast, impact-oriented techniques with emphasis on hand-to-hand fighting and pressure point attacks.Both systems make use of concepts inside and outside. Warriors trained in Kalaripayattu would use very light and basic body armor, as flexibility and mobility in heavy armor were difficult to maintain. Some of the techniques used in Kalaripayattu to improve versatility are also used in Keralite dance forms such as Kathakali. Dancers in Kerala who had experience with Kalaripayattu were noted to be considerably better than the other performers. Some traditional Indian dance schools still have Kalaripayattu as part of their scheme of training.