Phillip Zarrilli

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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
Related articles
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

Phillip Zarrilli is a notable martial artist. He is a practitioner of the Indian martial arts of Kalarippayattu and Marma Adi. Zarrilli has also trained in variations of Yoga.

Zarrilli trained with Master Govindankutty Nayar in 1977. He returned to India to complete advanced training in Kalarippayattu. Between 1977-1998, Zarrilli spent a total of seven years living in Kerala learning Kalarippayattu.

Phillip B. Zarrilli is the first citizen from a western country to receive his teacher's permission to teach Kalarippayattu. He began teaching in the United States in 1978 following a period of intensive advanced training under Gurukkal Govindankutty Nayar. In 1988 Gurukkal Govindankutty Nayar awarded him the traditional pitham -- a seat on which past masters "sit," signifying mastery.

Zarrilli has also trained in the Wu style of Tai Chi Chuan.

Zarrilli heads the Tyn-y-parc CVN Kalari in Llanarth, Ceredigion, Wales, a private studio, and conducts workshops throughout the world. His productions of Samuel Beckett's plays in Los Angeles (2000), Austria (2001), and Ireland (2004) have won critical acclaim and awards for "best actress" and "courageous production" in Los Angeles.

Phillip Zarrilli is also a practitioner of classical Indian dance - including Kathakali. He has worked with Indian choreographers on several international projects.

Zarrilli authored the first authoritative study of kalarippayatt, "When the Body Becomes All Eyes: paradigms and practices of power in kalarippayattu" published by Oxford University Press (1998/2000). In addition, Zarrilli has also authored several books including (editor) Acting (Re)Considered (2 nd edition, forthcoming), When the Body Becomes All Eyes (1998), Kathakali Dance-Drama: Where Gods and Demons Comes to Play (2000), and (editor) Martial Arts in Actor Training (1993).

In addition, Zarrilli also teaches psychophysical process as part of BA and MA/MFA Theatre Practice programmes at the University of Exeter, U.K.