Kalaripayattu Kerala Martial Art Malabar Kannur

Kalaripayattu, practised in the Kalari training centres of Kerala for over 3000 years, is considered one of the oldest martial arts in the world. The Northern style (Vadakkan Kalari) of Malabar and Kannur emphasises high kicks and weapons like urumi (flexible sword) and spear. The Southern style (Thekkan Kalari) of Thiruvananthapuram focuses on close-body wrestling and pressure point techniques. Kalari masters (Gurukkal) teach students through a guru-shishya system of progressive training. Kalaripayattu influenced the development of Kathakali dance forms and has been adopted internationally as a fitness and martial arts form. Kerala Kalaripayattu Federation cooperatives promote authentic training centres and stage demonstrations at cultural tourism events.