As you know, many systems of martial arts that are popular in our time (taekwondo, karate, judo, wushu, aikido, kung fu, qigong, etc.) are of East Asian origin and were originally developed in China, Japan or Korea. But, according to most researchers, all these martial arts arose solely due to the improvement of the most ancient of martial arts - the Indian kalaripayattu. It arose no less than 2500 years ago (and maybe even earlier) on the territory of the modern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and its schools are still functioning successfully.
God's gift
According to legends, this martial art was presented to people by Shiva Nataraja (one of 108 names and incarnations of Shiva; Nataraja is translated from Sanskrit as "king of dance"; the image of a dancing four-armed god is widespread not only in India, but throughout the world). By the way, the kalaripayattu martial arts system was considered by God to be one of the arts - and is included among the 64 most important of them. A disciple of Shiva named Purushurama spread this system of martial arts among the brahmanas (they are also called brahmins), representatives of the highest caste of Hindu society. Brahmins built 64 temples in the south of the country, where they taught Kalaripayattu. Such knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation up to the present day.
In Sanskrit "kalari" means "sacred place" and "payattu" means "fight, duel". Thus, the word "kalaripayattu" can be translated as "fight in a sacred place" - since both training and fights from ancient times took place in special temples. There are altars for sacrifices to Hindu deities and small halls with an earthen floor and wooden walls oriented in accordance with the cardinal points.
It can be stated that the most ancient martial art was not intended for warriors, but for priests and spiritual mentors, such as the brahmanas. They had to be able to defend themselves.
Much later, during the internecine wars between the Chera and Chola dynasties (VI-VII centuries A. D.), certain representatives of other castes began to be introduced to this system of martial arts.
The teacher kalaripayattu was called ashan, and for the students there was a strict rule: only a person who proved that he had high moral qualities and would not use his knowledge for evil could practice martial arts.
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Introduce yourself to an animal
The oldest surviving treatise on kalaripayatt is called Asata Vadivu and was written on palm leaves about 2,500 years ago. It states that the technique of this martial art was born from observing the movements of eight animals: a tiger, a lion, a horse, a peacock, an elephant, a snake, a fighting cock and a wild boar. Each of them has its own characteristics: a horse jumps well, a peacock keeps balance before an attack, standing on one leg, a snake attacks, leaving its tail without moving, a rooster in battle uses all parts of the body, an elephant in motion removes any obstacles in its path, a lion and the tiger is endowed with the agility and grace of jumping, the boar has an indomitable disposition.
But the main thing in this system of martial arts is not just repetition of the movements of animals, but the ability, just like them, to use their energy. A person should not only punch or kick - he should pass a wave of energy through his body, concentrate it and turn it into a blow.
At different stages of preparation, students imagine themselves to be one or another animal and learn certain cycles of exercises.
In addition, kalaripayattu includes the use of melee weapons. Its traditional varieties: otta - a wooden stick in the shape of an elephant's tusk, kettukkari - a bamboo cane, madi - a dagger made from antelope horns, cheruvati - a short stick, puliyankam - a saber, urumi - a long sword with a double-edged blade, so flexible that in ancient times it was worn wrapped around the waist.
Mandatory on the right foot
The rectangular hall for training and fights measures approximately 12 by 6 meters and is more than 2 meters deep in the ground. A lattice of light twigs and palm leaves are placed on top of it - to hide from prying eyes and protect from the heat. Students must enter the classroom with their right foot. At the entrance, one should bow to the hall, remembering that it symbolizes a sacred place, and respectfully touch the teacher's feet.
The initial stage of training is physical exercises for the development of the body, as well as martial arts with the help of arms and legs. Next will be training with wooden weapons. During the next training phase, it is replaced by a combat one.
Traditionally, there are two styles of kalaripayattu - southern and northern. The first is more ancient, in which the emphasis is on working with weapons. In the northern style, there are more jumps and lunges, it is much more like a dance. In general, the kalaripayattu system contains 250 basic elements of defense and attack, of which 160 grabs, blocks and throws.
It should be noted that there are no ranks, belts, dans or titles in the kalaripayattu. It is believed that this martial art is a path of self-improvement that lasts a whole life and does not imply intermediate results. Also, fighters are prohibited from demonstration performances with breaking boards or bricks, which are typical for some other martial arts - from the point of view of the masters, this is a pointless and even harmful activity, since it can lead to injuries.
You can not be lazy and deceive
The oldest martial art is inextricably linked with the system of Indian spiritual values. It combines physical, mental and religious methods of education, it is a lifestyle and a path of development. In places where training is held, there must be altars with deities to whom the students make offerings - for example, flowers or silver coins. Fighters give up alcohol, smoking, eating meat and sleeping during the day for life. In addition, they make a vow never to be lazy or cheat and must spend several hours a day in prayer and meditation. It is believed that in return, they learn the ability to concentrate and learn the future.
Also, kalaripayattu is closely related to the traditional dance and dramatic art; during the battles, students often perform performances from the Indian epic. The purpose of this martial art is proclaimed the acquisition of the highest power of the gods in your body, which makes life calm, purposeful and wise. It is not without reason that kalaripayattu is often called martial yoga.
Pupils not only gain knowledge in the field of martial arts, but also master the ability to heal. According to Indian traditional medicine, there are 108 important points on the human body through which vital energy passes. By acting on them, you can both kill and heal. The Kalaripayattu fighters study these points and the methods of working with them.
Each student masters Ayurveda, the practice of alternative Indian medicine based on acupuncture, therapeutic massages and the use of natural medicines.
Before training, students lubricate themselves with a special oil to warm up the body and make it flexible. After classes, a massage procedure takes place: one fighter lies on his stomach, the other steps over his back with his legs. Such actions allow you to quickly recover and prepare your muscles for new loads.
Pupils of Kalaripayattu schools are famous not only as skillful and enduring fighters, but also as skilled healers who know how to prepare and use natural medicines in the form of infusions, decoctions and oils. Therefore, since ancient times, they were asked for treatment. According to custom, they did not refuse anyone, but they did not disclose their knowledge either - for fear that these secrets might become known to cruel people.
Shot in the kneecap
From about the middle of the 19th century, when the British colonialists invaded India, the kalaripayattu went underground. The British understood that the schools of the national martial art were ready to become centers of resistance to the new government. Discovered training halls were burned, and violators were severely punished - they shot from a gun into the kneecap so that a person could no longer engage in martial arts. Therefore, the classes were held secretly, and the number of masters and students became much less. It was only when the country gained independence in 1947 that the kalaripayattu became popular again. Now masters of this type of martial arts often work as stunt doubles for movie stars, and separate schools of this martial art exist in Europe, North America, China, Indonesia, Russia and Japan. True, in such institutions, the main emphasis is on physical development and practicing combat techniques,ignoring the spiritual and meditative practice, without which, according to Indian masters, the path to self-improvement is impossible.
Margarita Kapskaya