Mudra Cultural Centre Thekkady, Kumily, Kerala, India

The Mudra Cultural Centre in Thekkady shows you good Kalari performances. Since there is audience interaction, you get involved in the show.

Kalaripayattu (also known simply as Kalari) is an Indian martial art that originated in Kerala, a state on the southwestern coast of India during the 11th–12th century CE.

According to legend, Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, learned the art from Shiva, and taught it to the original settlers of Kerala shortly after bringing Kerala up from the ocean floor.

According to Philip Zarrilli, the Tamil combat techniques of the Sangam period (600 BCE–300 CE) and Sanskritic Dhanur Vedic traditions, which arrived with northern Brahmins from the 7th CE onwards, were the earliest precursors to Kalaripayattu.

The Mudra Cultural Centre is located in Thekkady

Specialized training ground known as a kalari
Kalaripayattu is taught in a specialized training ground known as a kalari.

The location and construction of each kalari is built in accordance to Hindu architectural treatises such as the Vastu Shastras along with various religious traditions and customs native to Kerala.
Specifications are made regarding the physical dimensions of the kalari, how deep the ground in a kalari must be, along with the material that the floor of the kalari must consist of.
Before every training session in the kalari, salutations are provided to the presiding deities and obedience is paid to the kalari temple.
Students apply tilak or tikka on their foreheads and upon the forehead of the idol of the presiding deity using soil from the ground of the kalari.

Weaponry and armor
Kalaripayattu includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry, and healing methods.

Warriors trained in Kalaripayattu would use very light, and basic body armor, as it was difficult to maintain flexibility and mobility while in heavy armor.
Kalaripayattu differs from many other martial arts systems in the world in that weapon-based techniques are taught first, and barehanded techniques are taught last.
The weapons used include gadas, spears, daggers, and urumis.

Chuvadu and Vadivu
Kalaripayattu techniques are a combination of steps (Chuvadu) and postures (Vadivu).

Chuvadu literally means 'steps', the basic steps of the martial arts.
Vadivu literally means 'postures' or stances which are the foundations of Kalaripayattu training.
They are named after animals, and are usually presented in eight forms.
Styles differ considerably from one tradition to another. Not only do the names of poses differ, but their utilization and interpretation vary depending on the gurukkal, and the traditions of the kalari. Each stance has its own style, combination, and function. These techniques vary from one style to another.