The most effective technique to begin practicing Kalari

  #Kalari 109

The most effective technique to begin practicing Kalari

(Kalidas J Sreenivas)

Which is that? was most people's initial response. People felt it was cool once it was revealed that it is the oldest martial art in the world. Naturally, it is also odd, but it is nothing new to me.

We are both human beings and travelers with a certain amount of time. And at the end of the day, no matter how much we may desire to achieve, we only accomplish a small number of tasks. So, how do you decide what to actually spend your time on?

Yoga & Spirituality

When Sadhguru taught kalaripayattu at the Isha Yoga Center in 2007–2008, it was quite thrilling to me because of my strong predisposition toward spirituality and yoga.

People recently thought they could give this a try after hearing a positive instructor suggestion. This martial art discipline is far more meaningful to me because of its spiritual undertones. Since then, I've combined it with yoga routines, beginning with the kalari movements before the meditation and kriya routine. This has received positive feedback from the public.

The MOTHER of all martial arts has Indian heritage!

A man encountered a Russian martial arts instructor in Jibhi. With his students, he had descended for some mountain classes and rest. Once he witnessed their martial arts practice, he was inspired to learn some fighting skills himself. At that point, Kalaripayattu entered his head. He informed him that he intended to learn Kalaripayattu and that his own style of martial arts likely derived from it.

Assertion & Aggression

In many ways, I've always been an angry young individual. Additionally, everyone exhibits hostility in one form or another. I'm hoping that kalari will make it easier for me to control this. It seems beneficial for females to develop their confidence and assertiveness. I'm trying to figure out how to control this strength.

Logistics And naturally, things worked out so that the logistics were controllable. He was able to continue working in Kozhikode because my job now allows me to work from wherever. After speaking with the renowned instructor, he agreed to let me stay with them as a homestay. They agreed to give me vegetarian cuisine that was free of onion and garlic. All was OK, so.

Selecting A More Experiential Life

I've been careful to pick the best travel experience for me for a while, especially after I became location independent. After everything is said and done, it must answer my inner callings; otherwise, moving about and living a life that is pointless makes no sense! Additionally, Kalaripayattu has adapted nicely. I would advise you to go a little more into your personal interests and make as much progress in that area as you can.

KALARIPAYATTU MEDITATION'S SECRET

  #Kalari 108

KALARIPAYATTU MEDITATION'S SECRET

(Kalidas J Sreenivas)

Kalari meditation is one of the numerous techniques that make up Kalaripayattu and is significant since it has significant implications for the modern world. More and more individuals are using its health advantages to help manage the stress and tension that builds up in our daily routines due to its soothing, centering, and energizing qualities, which have long been practiced and studied across the world. As in yoga, sustaining attention leads to concentration, which is the first step toward obtaining the state of meditation. Meditation results from sustained concentration.

The practise of "Meaipayattu" (kata) and other weapon applications, such as the sword and shield, calls for a tremendous lot of focus and attention. The "mother of martial arts," Kalaripayattu, has been tried and proven on the battlefield and is renowned as a powerful military force. According to historical accounts, Kalari warriors would fast on occasion and observe a strict vegetarian diet while they prepared for battle by spending a lot of time in meditation. The warrior's lack of dread of dying in battle was probably caused by this separation from the body and worldly possessions of this world. Through diligent practise and study, Kalaripayattu was created to help a person reach the pinnacles of physical and spiritual accomplishment.The Kundalini power is said to be able to be awakened and directed to rise inside the Sushumna of the spinal nerve system and the human body through the strict Kalari training.

A chakra is a term used to refer to any phenomena that has a cyclical or circular motion or character in Hindu ceremonial and spiritual traditions. It is used, for instance, to describe the Kala Chakra (the Wheel of Time) and the Jeevana Chakra (the Wheel of Life), among other things.

The supreme God, Brahma, is described in the Svetasvatara Upanishad as the source of all order, regularity, and rhythm. Order is referred to as kram. The orderly development of a thing or phenomena is donated by Chakram to Muladhara (The Base Chakra).

The base chakra, Muladharam, often known as the "root chakra," is concerned with human potentiality, security, and survival. a lotus flower with four petals and four letters, such as "Va, Sa, Sha, sa," is used as a symbol. This place possesses the might of Lords Shakthi, Shiva, and Ganapathi. This facility is situated between the genitals and the anus. The endocrine organs connected to this chakra are the gonads. The term "Muladharaml" alludes to Sushumna's base.

Emotion, sexuality, and creativity are all connected to the sacral chakra, also known as Swathishtanam. represented by a lotus with six pedals and the characters "Bha, Ba, Ma, Ga, Ra, La." There are also Lord Brahma, Bharathi, and Shuklavahini vain here. The endocrine glands connected to this chakra are the adrenal glands.

The metabolism, digestion, and assimilation processes are connected to the Manipura Chakra, often known as the "solar plexus" chakra. A lotus with 10 petals and ten letters, such as "Da, Dda, Nna, Ta, Da, Dtha, Dha, Na, Pa, Pha," are used to represent it. Here, Lakshmi Devi and Lord Maha Vishnu are present. It is situated ten and a half fingers above the Swathishtana Chakra. The pancreas is an endocrine gland.

The "heart chakra," also known as Anahatham, is associated with harmony, well-being, and love. provides emotional intelligence as a resource. A lotus with twelve petals and the characters "ka, kha, ga, gha, nga, cha, ccha, ja, jha, nja, da, ta" are used to represent it. It is situated 14 fingers above Manipura Chakra in the chest. The thymus is an endocrine gland.

Speech is produced by the throat chakra, or vishuddhi chakra. related to expression via growth, which is a sort of communication. It is represented as a lotus with 14 petals that each include one of the following 14 letters: "A, Aa, E, Ee, U, Uu, ER, Ea, Ai, O, Ou, Am, Aah." This chakra is home to Saraswathi, the Lord of Music and the Supreme Sound of Life. Six fingers above Anahata Chakra, it is situated. The thyroid is an endocrine gland.

The "third eye chakra," also known as Ajna, is the chakra of time and awareness of light and is the source of psychic or intuitive knowledge. A lotus with two petals and two letters, such as "Ha, La," are used to represent it. There is a Lord Shiva here. 9 fingers above Vishuddhi chakra is where it is situated. The pituitary is the endocrine gland (hypophysis)

The source of the greatest intelligence is Sahasrara, often known as the "crown chakra" (Prajnanam). According to legend, it is the master chakra, or chakra of pure awareness, which governs all the other chakras. One finds the state of Samadhi, or "undivided consciousness," without the ability to distinguish between the subject and object of meditation, when the ascending Kundalini penetrates the Sahasram chakra. a lotus with a thousand petals and the letter "Ksha'' serve as symbols. The human body must serve as a temple because an omnipotent God with tremendous power lives here. Sahasram chakra is situated two fingers above Ajna chakra at the top of the head, or the crown. The pineal is the endocrine gland.

The spiritual aspect of Kalaripayattu

  #Kalari 107

The spiritual aspect of Kalaripayattu

(Kalidas J Sreenivas)

A significant component of Kalaripayattu is spirituality. Like the majority of martial arts, kalaripayattu includes a large spiritual component that forms the cornerstone of all of its teachings. The respect shown for the gods, instructors, lineage, and the planet is ingrained in the moral and ethical framework of the art and is part of the everyday practice of practitioners.

The primary justification for human beings on earth, according to the Dhanurveda, which is where kalaripayattu is first described, is to discover the purpose of life. In terms of thinking ability, humans are clearly unique from other animals, and this ability provides us the freedom to reflect on everything we encounter. According to Indian mythology, discovering the eternal reality of a person's soul's existence is the ultimate goal of a life. Humankind possesses the everlasting awareness, or God, and it is up to us to recognise it. The human being receives the necessary training and understanding from Kalaripayattu to achieve this aim.

The student enters the kalari with their right foot, touches the soil with their Ajna (third eye) chakra, and then their Anahata (heart) chakra. Following these motions, a circular hand striking method is used to thank and accept the benefits of the universe as well as to salute the Earth Mother and accept her favor. The learner next moves toward the Puthara altar, which has seven tiers and represents the seven chakras. The Third Eye and Heart Chakras are then touched after touching the altar once more. The training is finished by a repetition of this technique. This teaches the prospective learner the appropriate spiritual perspective and respect required to forge a bond.

Tradition and ritual are used in the Kalaripayattu language to commemorate the beginning of knowledge acquisition, or vidyarambham. Vidyarambam denotes the beginning of a new art, practice, or stage of a practice, such as learning a new weapon. Even though individuals can begin their rituals at any time of the year, Vijayadeshami, the yearly day of Kalari pooja (offering) honoring the goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura, is the most auspicious time to do so. On this day, pooja is done to all weapons. Only when a practice is initiated on Vijayadashami is it regarded to be called Vidyarambam. Depending on the Malayalam lunar calendar, Vijayadeshami is celebrated just once a year in September or October. Although it features a variety of artistic forms,

Before teaching the more advanced (and risky) combat tactics, the Gurukkal must be confident that the pupil would never abuse the information entrusted to them and that they have a deep and true connection. The pupil must first bring dakshina, a particular kind of gift, to their gurukkal and gain their blessing before they can begin practicing a new weapon.

An areca nut, three betel leaves that represent Brahmi, Visnu, and Shiva (the three major Hindu gods of creation, birth, upkeep, and destruction, respectively), and some cash often make up the dakshina. Additionally, fruits may be a part of the menu. The gurukkal strokes the pupil's head to acknowledge and bless him after the student has offered him the dakshina and touched his feet. The training can then start. The dakshina is a custom from ancient India that was employed for all knowledge transmission, not just in kalaripayattu. The dakshina is required to begin any new level.

UNNIYARCHA: THE KADATHANADAN KALARIPAYATTU WOMAN WARRIOR

 #Kalari 106

UNNIYARCHA: THE KADATHANADAN KALARIPAYATTU WOMAN WARRIOR

(Kalidas J Sreenivas)

A fabled warrior and heroine named Unniyarcha is referenced in the Vadakkan Pattukal, a collection of songs from Kerala, a region in southwest India. She came from the Puthooram Veed family of Thiyyars in Kadathanad. Kannappa Chekavar was the name of her father. She is said to have resided in Kerala's northern region in the sixteenth century. She is a well-known figure in Keralan mythology and is renowned for her bravery and expertise in Kalaripayattu, the state's traditional martial art. Legend has it that Unniyarcha was most known for her lethal proficiency with the unusual, local to Kerala, whip-like Urumi sword. She started attending kalari at the age of seven, much like the majority of traditional Kalaripayattu practitioners.

Their father, Kannappa Chekavar, was a highly esteemed Kalari teacher and their brother Aromal Chekavar was a renowned fierce fighter whose name struck dread into the heart of every man who heard it. Unniyarcha, along with her brother and cousin Chandu, began receiving training in the art of Kalaripayattu at a very young age. She possessed all the qualities of a great fighter even as a young kid, and by the time she was seven, she had mastered the use of every weapon at her disposal. When clutched in her little hands, everything from the tiny knife to the large sword became lethal extensions of her body. She had no fears and never hesitated to address people who she disagreed with. nobody, and she never shied away from confronting people with whom she disagreed, exposing corruption and injustice wherever she found it.

Unniyarcha adored her husband and delighted in being his wife, but she yearned for more excitement, action, and adventure because, as a warrior, she needed more from marriage to satisfy her warrior heart. Unniyarcha believed a Koothu (dancing show) being presented at a desert temple a few miles down the road may be exactly the thing to liven up her monotonous life when she overheard some women discussing it.

Unniyarcha got ready for the dance early that morning, taking a bath and donning her finest attire before accessorizing with the most costly jewelry in her collection—bangles, earrings, and necklaces made of glistening silver and gold. Then, she went to her father-in-law, the man in charge of the home, to ask for his consent to arrive at the Koothu.

Although her father-in-law first appeared reticent, years of disagreements with his son's independent wife had reduced his determination to a fine dust. He consented to let her leave,

As she turned to go, he said, "But only if someone else travels with you; the road to the temple is infested with crooks and creeps, it isn't safe for a woman to walk there alone."Kunjiraman will be with her, Unniyarcha swiftly told him.

Unniyarcha had long held the suspicion that her husband's timidity came from his mother. Unniyarcha responded, "That's OK with me. I am Puthuram, the daughter of the famous Kannappa Chekvar, and I fear no one and nothing. If necessary, I will traverse the route by myself.

The idea of this made Kunjiraman's parents sick to their stomach, so they reluctantly brought him in to inform him that he had to accompany Unniyarcha to the Koothu. Kunjiraman agreed with even greater reluctance, and a little while later the two were on their way to the temple.

They did not have to wait long to encounter difficulties. A few kilometers into their journey, the two noticed a threatening gathering of guys beside the road that could only have been the dreaded Jonoker gang—famous in the region for stealing everyone they encountered—as if Kunjiraman's words had cursed them. The Jonoker gang stole from everyone, including little children, elderly ladies, and everyone in between. If Unniyarcha hadn't been there, Kunjiraman would have turned and fled the moment he started to noticeably tremble. She didn't flinch as she marched forward; if anything, her step was quicker now that she recognised the criminals.

To observe how her husband would react to this fresh proposition, Unniyarcha glanced to him. He appeared to have a defense strategy that involved becoming completely white, mumbling some phrases that were unclear, and swinging erratically like a banana leaf in the wind. Although she wasn't really shocked, she couldn't help but feel a bit let down. She sighed in frustration as she started taking off her jewelry. All of the jewelry—earrings, necklaces, and bracelets—was removed and laid at the assailants' feet.

The Puthuram I am! The renowned Aromal Chekavar is my brother! Who among you has the guts to take on me? I'll fight you all. The surviving Jonokers were terrified after hearing this. They immediately dropped their weapons, turned around, and fled back to their commander, carrying only tales of the fierce warrior woman who had promised to wipe them all off. The Jonoker chieftain became increasingly terrified as he listened to the tales; he believed that this enigmatic she-devil would one day come after him. She needed to be dealt with immediately, though. He saddled up his horse without any hesitation, and they started off on the road.

Unniyarcha had just rescued her spouse from his terrifying state of terror when he came upon her. When he noticed the leader of the Jonokers racing in the direction of him and his wife, any color that had returned to his cheeks went instantaneously. He started gurgling and swaying again, this time with greater vigor and eagerness. Unniyarcha spun around with her palm on the hilt of her urumi, bracing for conflict. However, as soon as he was within striking distance, the thug sprang off his horse and knelt down at Unniyarcha's feet.