Kalaripayattu Techniques

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. You can assist by editing it now. A how-to guide is available. (April 2007)

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

Kalarippayattu (Malayalam: കളരിപ്പയറ്റ്) is an Indian martial art practised in Kerala and contiguous parts of neighboring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.^[1] It incorporates strikes, kicks, grappling, and weaponry, as well as healing techniques.^[2] Some of its choreographed sparring can be applied to dance.^[3] A unique aspect of Kalari is the use of feet to block attacks

[edit] Techniques, Steps and Postures

Techniques (Atavu) in a kalarippayatt is a combination of Steps (Chuvatu) and Postures (Vadivu).

There are five steps or Chuvatus and Northern styles of kalarippayatt have Ashta Vadivukal, or eight postures (vadivu). Each posture has its own style, power combination, usefulness and effectiveness.

Many people have this misconception that the eight postures in kalarippayatt is somewhat same as Five Animals styles in Chinese martial arts, such as Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake, and Dragon. However the five animal styles of the Chinese system and the animal vadivus of Vadakkan Kalari have nothing in common.

Postures (Vadivu) Gajavadivu Elephant pose Simhavadivu Lion pose Asvavadivu Horse pose Varahavadivu Wild boar pose Sarpavadivu Serpent pose Marjaravadivu Cat pose Kukkuvadivu Cock pose Matsyavadivu Fish pose (Gurukkal Govindankutty Nayar and the C.V.N. Style) Mayuravadivu Peacock pose (Gurukkal P. K. Balan Style)

Steps (Chuvatu) Vatta Chuvatu Circular steps Aakka Chuvatu Inside steps Neekka Chuvatu Moving steps Kon Chuvatu Corner steps Ottakkal Chuvatu One leg steps

[edit] See also

Luijendijk, D.H. (2005) Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art, Paladin Press

v • d • e Kalarippayattu 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 · chekavar · 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 - Thang-Ta - 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 - Khanda - Marmam - Ayurveda - Sri Lankan martial arts - Foreign influence on Chinese martial arts

[edit] References