Kalaripayattu - Episode 6 - Indian Martial Arts

Learn about one of the oldest fighting systems, Kalaripayattu which originated in 1362 CE in word kalari first appeared in Sangam literature which described both a battlefield and a combat arena. Each warrior in the Sangam era received regular military training. The combat techniques of the Sangam period were the earliest precursors to Kalaripayattu. The martial art developed into its present form by the 6th century, during an extended period of warfare between the Chera and Chola Tamil sage, Agastya and Lord Parashurama are regarded as the founders and patron saints of Southern Kalaripayat. The martial art includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry as well as healing methods. Regional variants are classified according to geographical positions in Kerala. Kalari warriors stood up against the British in the early part of the 19th century and then the British banned its practice. In recent years, efforts have been made to further popularise the art by featuring it in int