Kalaripayattu is the traditional martial art of which state?

Kalaripayattu is a traditional martial art of Kerala. It is regarded as one of the oldest martial arts in the world.

About Kalaripayattu:

• Its name comes from "kalari" (a training ground or school) and "payattu" (practice or fighting).
• Training takes place in a "kalari", traditionally a pit dug into the ground with a small shrine to the guardian deity.
• The teacher is called the "Gurukkal" or "Asan".

According to legend, it was taught by the sage Parashurama, who is believed to have created Kerala. Another tradition links the southern style to the sage Agastya.

It developed into its present form by about the 12th century, and it was practised by warriors such as the Nairs and Thiyyas.

It has two main styles:

• Vadakkan Kalari (northern style): emphasises graceful movements and weapons.
• Thekkan Kalari (southern style): emphasises empty-hand fighting and strikes.

Training stages:

• Meippayattu: body exercises for flexibility and balance.
• Kolthari: fighting with wooden weapons, such as sticks.
• Ankathari: fighting with metal weapons, such as swords, daggers, spears and the "urumi" (a long, flexible sword).
• Verumkai: unarmed fighting, including strikes to "marma" points (vital points of the body).
• Practitioners also learn traditional healing, including massage with medicinal oils, connected to Ayurveda.
• Its movements influenced Kerala's classical dance forms, such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattam.
• Many believe it influenced martial arts in other parts of Asia, through Buddhist monks such as Bodhidharma, but this is not proven.

Recognition:

• Meenakshi Amma, a woman Kalaripayattu teacher from Vadakara in her seventies, received the Padma Shri in 2017.
• It was included in the Khelo India Youth Games from 2021.

Other martial arts of India:

• Silambam: Tamil Nadu (staff fighting).
• Thang-Ta: Manipur (sword and spear).
• Gatka: Punjab (Sikh martial art).
• Mardani Khel: Maharashtra.
• Paika Akhada: Odisha.
• Mallakhamb: Madhya Pradesh (state sport).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Tamil Nadu is known for Silambam.
• ✗Manipur is known for Thang-Ta.
• ✗Punjab is known for Gatka.