[edit] Martial Art Form
Kalaripayattu the oldest martial art form of Kerala in South India, is formed by the combination of two words Kalari means school, gymnasium and Payattu means to fight or exercise. This unique martial art form is said to be more than 2000 years old.
Kalaripayattu is said to be very old form of martial art and has its connection with the fighting arts described by the Vishnu Purana as one of the eighteen traditional branches of knowledge. Kalaris are the schools where training in this martial art form is imparted by Gurukals or masters
According to historic believes this martial art form is indigenous to the Southern Indian state of Kerala which legend has it, was created by the sage Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, by throwing his axe into the sea which receded till the point where it fell. Parasurama then established forty-two kalaris and taught twenty-one masters of these kalaris to protect the land he created.
Till then its evident that this historic martial art form has been deep rooted in the traditional form of Kerala and is still flourishing with pride and glory.
