Kerala is home to one of India’a oldest surviving martial arts, Kalaripayattu. It finds mention in the Vadakkan Pattukal or ballads that sing praise about the heroes called Chekavar of Northern Malabar and their journeys. Kalari in its original style is known as Vadakkan Kalari or northern Kalari. It gives more importance to the flexibility of the body. Taught in four parts, the first is Meipayattu or the training stances, the second is Kolthari - the usage of wooden weapons, followed by Angathari which uses metal weapons and finally the Verum Kai which is barehanded combat training.
Kalaripayattu is a mix of dance form and weapon mastery. It teaches various attack and defence techniques and the usage of weapons: knife, dagger, stick, lance, spear, sword and shield. Three forms of Kalari are observed: Arappa kayy, Pilla Thangi and Vatten Thiripp, which can be distinguished by the attack and defence patterns. It takes almost five years to master all the techniques of Kalaripayattu. One of the major Kalari establishments in Kasaragod is the Choorakodi Kalari established in 1987 at Paravanadukkam. All three styles practised in northern, southern and mid-Kerala are taught here.
