Ancient Warriors: How Kerala's Kalarippayattu Became the Mother of Martial Arts

🪷 Bridge
, ,
1

In the lush backwaters of Kerala, India, lies a martial art so ancient and influential that scholars have called it the “mother of all martial arts.” Kalarippayattu, with its flowing movements derived from animal behavior and sophisticated combat techniques, represents a living link to humanity’s martial heritage spanning over three millennia.

Two Kalari Fighters
Two Kalari Fighters1536×1024 29 KB

The Roots of Combat

Kalarippayattu derives from two Malayalam words: “kalari” meaning training ground and “payattu” meaning to fight or exercise[1]. This simple etymology belies the complexity of what researchers consider one of the world’s oldest martial arts, with documented evidence tracing back to the 11th-12th centuries CE[2].

The art emerged from the battlefield techniques of medieval Kerala, refined during the century-long wars between the powerful Chola, Chera, and Pandya dynasties[3]. According to legend, the creator of Kerala, Parashurama (the sixth avatar of Vishnu), founded the martial tradition and established 108 kalaris throughout the region[4].

How much did you know about Kalarippayattu before reading this?

  1. Never heard of it before
  2. Heard the name but knew nothing about it
  3. Knew it was an Indian martial art
  4. Familiar with its connection to other martial arts
  5. Well-versed in its history and techniques
0 voters

The Legendary Monk’s Journey

The most compelling claim surrounding Kalarippayattu involves a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma who allegedly traveled from South India to China around 527 CE. According to this widely circulated narrative, Bodhidharma introduced martial arts training to the Shaolin Temple, laying the foundation for what would become kung fu[5].

However, martial arts historians have challenged this romantic account. Stanley Henning and other scholars note that “this story is clearly a twentieth-century invention,” confirmed by writings dating back 250 years earlier that mention both Bodhidharma and martial arts but make no connection between them[6]. The association only became widespread after the 1904-1907 serialization of a novel in Illustrated Fiction Magazine[7].

Despite historical skepticism, the cultural narrative persists. At the Shaolin Temple, a fresco depicts dark-skinned monks teaching light-skinned Chinese the art of bare-handed fighting, with inscriptions reading “Tenjiku Naranokaku” - “the fighting techniques to train the body (which come) from India”[8].

The Art of Eight Animals

What makes Kalarippayattu distinctive is its sophisticated training methodology based on animal observation. The techniques combine steps (chuvadu) and postures (vadivu), with the eight classical animal forms known as Ashta Vadivukal[9].

These forms include Gaja vadivu (elephant), Simha vadivu (lion), Ashwa vadivu (horse), Varaaha vadivu (wild boar), Sarpa vadivu (snake), Kukkuda vadivu (rooster), Marjaara vadivu (cat), and Matsya vadivu (fish)[10]. Each animal form exploits specific attack and defense advantages - the snake posture enables quick movement and powerful forward lunges, while the peacock stance maximizes body area to keep enemies at bay[11].

Training progresses through four distinct stages: Maithari (body control exercises), Kolthari (wooden weapons), Ankathari (metal weapons), and Verumkai (bare-hand combat)[12]. Practitioners also learn to target 108 vital points (marma) on the human body, knowledge that can both heal and harm[13].

Which aspect of Kalarippayattu training interests you most?

  1. Animal-based movement patterns
  2. Vital point (marmam) techniques
  3. Traditional oil massage preparation
  4. Weapon training with swords and spears
  5. Meditation and energy work
  6. Healing and medicinal applications
0 voters

The Colonial Suppression

Kalarippayattu faced its darkest period in 1804 when the British colonial administration banned the martial art following the Kottayathu War, a rebellion led by Kerala’s warrior king Pazhassi Raja[14]. The ban came into effect shortly after Pazhassi Raja’s death on November 30, 1805, resulting in the closure of most major kalari training grounds[15].

Pazhassi Raja, known as the “Lion of Kerala,” had waged a 13-year guerrilla campaign against British forces from 1793 to 1806[16]. His resistance proved so effective that Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) reportedly stated it would be difficult for the British to win as long as Pazhassi Raja remained alive[17].

The ban wasn’t merely administrative - the British feared that the martial art would fuel further rebellion among the population. However, dedicated gurukkals like Kottackkal Kanaran Gurukkal and others continued teaching Kalarippayattu in secret, preserving the tradition for future generations[18].

The Modern Revival

The resurgence of Kalarippayattu began in the 1920s as part of a broader rediscovery of traditional arts throughout southern India[19]. Key figures like Chirakkal T. Sreedharan Nair (1909-1984) played crucial roles in this revival, writing the first authoritative texts on the martial art[20].

Sreedharan Nair’s seminal work, “Kalarippayattu - A Complete Guide to Kerala’s Ancient Martial Art,” published in 1937, remains the most authentic reference material on the art to this day[21]. His efforts, along with those of other dedicated practitioners, helped transform Kalarippayattu from a near-extinct tradition into a globally recognized martial art.

After learning about this connection, how likely are you to explore Kalarippayattu or related martial arts?

  1. Very likely - I’m already looking for local schools
  2. Somewhat likely - I’d try a class if available
  3. Interested but probably won’t pursue it actively
  4. Interesting to know but not for me
  5. I’m skeptical about these historical connections
0 voters

The Scholarly Debate

While the influence of Kalarippayattu on other martial arts remains debated, certain connections appear substantive. The philosophical similarities between Indian and Chinese martial traditions, the documented Buddhist networks facilitating cultural exchange, and the clear transmission of techniques suggest meaningful historical links[22].

However, critics rightly point out that martial arts developed independently across various cultures, and that the earliest texts specifically mentioning Kalarippayattu date only to the 15th century[23]. Modern scholars emphasize the importance of distinguishing between historical fact and cultural mythology in martial arts origins.

Living Heritage

Today, Kalarippayattu has evolved from preparation for mortal combat to a path for personal development and cultural preservation. Modern practitioners seek kalari training to improve physical agility, recognizing its benefits for strength, flexibility, and mental cultivation[24].

The traditional principle that “knowledge of the art should be used to further worthy causes, and not for the advancement of one’s own selfish interests” resonates in contemporary practice[25]. Whether viewed as the direct ancestor of Asian martial arts or as one important thread in the complex tapestry of human combat knowledge, Kalarippayattu stands as a remarkable testament to cultural transmission and human ingenuity.

The next time you witness a martial arts demonstration, remember that you might be seeing distant echoes of warriors who trained in sunken courtyards in Kerala centuries ago, developing techniques so profound they would influence martial traditions across continents and through millennia.

  1. Kerala Tourism. “Kalaripayattu or Kalarippayattu – the Martial Art form of Kerala.” Accessed 2025. ↩︎

  2. Wikipedia. “Kalaripayattu.” Last modified 2 weeks ago. ↩︎

  3. Kalari Manoeuvre. “About Kalaripayattu.” January 30, 2025. ↩︎

  4. Kerala Tourism. “Introduction to the Origin of Kalaripayattu.” ↩︎

  5. Martial Arts Thailand. “Kalaripayattu - The Mother of all Martial Arts.” April 19, 2022. ↩︎

  6. Wikipedia. “Bodhidharma.” Last modified 1 month ago. ↩︎

  7. Wikipedia. “Origins of Asian martial arts.” February 20, 2024. ↩︎

  8. Martial Arts Thailand. “Kalaripayattu - The Mother of all Martial Arts.” April 19, 2022. ↩︎

  9. Athma Kalari. “Ashta Vadivukal.” May 14, 2024. ↩︎

  10. Kerala Tourism. “Vadivu or Vadivukkal in Meythozhil or Meypayattu.” ↩︎

  11. Kerala Tourism. “Meythozhil or Meypayattu - backbone of Kalaripayattu.” ↩︎

  12. Kerala Tourism. “Kalaripayattu or Kalarippayattu – the Martial Art form of Kerala.” ↩︎

  13. The Culture Gully. “Kalaripayattu Warriors: India’s Ancient Martial Art From Kerala More Than 3000 Years-Old.” February 5, 2025. ↩︎

  14. Wikipedia. “Kalaripayattu.” Last modified 2 weeks ago. ↩︎

  15. Wikipedia. “Kalaripayattu.” Last modified 2 weeks ago. ↩︎

  16. Wikipedia. “Cotiote War.” April 15, 2025. ↩︎

  17. Pink Lungi. “10 Things About Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja That You Should Know.” November 1, 2024. ↩︎

  18. Wikipedia. “Kalaripayattu.” Last modified 2 weeks ago. ↩︎

  19. Wikipedia. “Kalaripayattu.” Last modified 2 weeks ago. ↩︎

  20. Wikipedia. “Kalaripayattu.” Last modified 2 weeks ago. ↩︎

  21. Wikipedia. “Kalaripayattu.” Last modified 2 weeks ago. ↩︎

  22. Way of Bodhi. “The Wild Leaps of Awakening - Bodhidharma and Martial Arts.” March 4, 2019. ↩︎

  23. Wikipedia. “Bodhidharma.” Last modified 1 month ago. ↩︎

  24. The Culture Gully. “Kalaripayattu Warriors: India’s Ancient Martial Art From Kerala More Than 3000 Years-Old.” February 5, 2025. ↩︎

  25. Kerala Tourism. “Kalaripayattu or Kalarippayattu – the Martial Art form of Kerala.” ↩︎

2 Likes