Guruttara

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Kalaripayattu

Indian Name
Malayalam	കളരിപ്പയറ്റ
Devanagari	कळरिप्पयट्
Details
Origin	Kerala, South India
Styles	Northern, Southern and Central

Guruttara is a word used in Malayalam language of Kerala, south India which means - the place where a lamp is kept burning in reverence to all the gurus (masters) of the kalari (training place of Kalarippayattu, martial art form in Kerala). There will be always a 'Guruthara' inside a kalari where Kalarippayattu is trained.

[edit] Initiation ceremony in a Kalari

At the age of seven, on an auspicious day or on the opening day of the new session, a novice is admitted to the kalari in the presence of the Gurukkal (master) or a senior student, and directed to place his right foot first across the threshold. The student touches the ground with the right hand and then his forehead, as a sign of respect. He is then led to the Guruttara to repeat his act of worship. He then has to offer some money in folded betel leaves as dakshina (tuition fee) for the master and bow and prostrate himself before the latter, and touch his legs, as a sign of respect. The guru then places his hands on the pupil’s head, blesses him .This worship; touching the ground, Poottara, Guruttara and the guru’s feet, is to be repeated everyday. It symbolizes a complete acceptance of the Kalari deities, Kalari master, and the rules and discipline of the art.

[edit] See also

Topics related to Kalarippayattu

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History	Origin, Revival,
Styles	Northern style, Central style, Southern style
Techniques	Adavu, Chuvadu, Vadivu
Weapons	Weapons of Kalarippayattu
Kalarippayattu and performing arts	Arts of Kerala, Indian martial arts, Dravidian martial arts, Kathakali, Kolkali, Velakali
Films	Films on Kalarippayattu
Other topics	Marmam, Gurukkal, Guruttara, Kalari, Mamankam festival, Ankathattu, Ankam, AnkaKalari, Ankachekavar, Yoga, Ayurveda, Kerala

Part of a series on Indian martial arts

Various Indian martial arts
Pehlwani - Kalarippayattu - Malla-yuddha - Vajra Mushti / Vajra Mukti - Chakram - Kabaddi - Silambam Nillaikalakki - Gatka and other arts
Notable Practitioners
The Great Gama - Phillip Zarrilli - Jasmine Simhalan - Jyesthimallas - Gobar Goho - Imam Baksh Pahalwan - Paul Whitrod - Gulam - Guru Har Gobind - John Will
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Kshatriya - Yoga - Indian mêlée weapons - Dravidian martial arts - Ayurveda - Sri Lankan martial arts - Indian martial arts in popular culture - Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts