Manoeuvre tryst with Kalaripayattu Veteran Sri SRD Prasad Gurukkal of Bharat Kalari

The members of Manoeuvre, society for promoting ancient martial arts Kalaripayattu, Bangalore in conversation with Kalaripayattu veteran Sri SRD Prasad Gurukkal of Bharat Kalari, Kannur.

In his words “I started learning Kalaripayattu at a young age from my father Chirakkal T Sridharan Nair, who was a well known exponent of Kalaripayattu. Its been an inspiring journey all these years having practiced, trained and continuing the legacy of my father in propogating Kalaripayattu”.

I was working in company earlier, assisting the kalari during vacations. Have taken over the full time responsibility of kalari in the year  1999.

Kalaripayattu training starts at the tender age of 7, when the pupil has his/her best grasping power. This age helps in honing flexibility to the maximum level. At this period of training, learning is coupled with calisthenics. The pattern of kalarippayattu sequences provides a complete workout, he added.

Kalarippayattu is an art form with a great emphasis on ethics whereas Karate or Boxing is more textual in nature. Kalari is an art form with a deep spiritual significance, the sequences or pattern in kalari training is set in a manner which put the skills to the ultimate test. The practice of weaponry is one such instance where in the students face and are able to defend from varied types of attacks. Long stick fight, dagger, sword & shield to name a few.

There are many styles in kalaripayattu. Generally, people term it as Northern or Southern based on the regions in Kerala but it is a wrong notion. In practice, styles are formed based on the variation in the sequence of training. For instance, one of the most prevalent style in existence is Arappukai style which is prevalent in parts of Northern Kerala, the Malabar region. The term Arappukai  means set of fight divided into segmants. (Like Maipayattu, Kolthari, Ankathari, Verumkai). Some of the other styles practiced  are Vattayanthirippu, Kadathanadan, Pillathangi, Vallabhatta etc. Now extinct Dronampalli style was part of the Tulunadu, where pupil used to go for their advanced studies in Kalaripayattu, said Gurukkal.

The long flexible sword ‘Urumi’ is one of the weapon which I feel is in the verge of extinction now. There are no Vaytharis (Oral Commands) available for Urumi now. It used to be worn as a belt in the ancient days by the warriors and was executed in case of mass encounters.

Apart from teaching Kalaripayattu at our centre in Kannur, I write books on Kalarippayattu, a legacy continued from my father to preserve this ancient art form. I also conduct and attend workshops, Seminars on Kalaripayattu.  One of the event to name was a series of lecture demonstrations at the First International Yoga Day in New Delhi (2015) under Central Sangeeth Natak Academi. Currently, I am also a visiting faculty at Kannur University which has introduced diploma course in Kalaripayattu for the budding candidates. We had the opportunity to laid down the frame work of the syllabus for the course. This is first of its kind in the world for the promotion of Kalaripayattu.

I have written five books which includes Otta and an Encyclopedia on kalarippayattu. Other than that I have authored a book called Maipayattu of kalarippayattu, biography of my father and Bharatha Kandam.

The contribution to kalari from the part of govt is not that laudable. The martial art like Kung Fu has spread across the globe with Government support. Recently, the Kerala Government has come up with a plan to develop a cultural museum where Kalaripayattu would be included. The project worth several crores has many exciting plans in the offing. I was called upon to address the recommendations to the quorum. Have suggested to lay down a big kalari which can help large number of visitors to watch and feel the spirit of traditional kalari. Also recommended inclusion of a viewing gallery, an exclusive library on Kalaripayattu with digitized manuscripts, set up for live performances etc. This would help revive and showcase the glory of ancient martial art Kalaripayattu, says SRD Prasad.

Kalaripayattu has inspired scores of allied art forms such as Kathakali, Kolkali, Theyyam etc.. which indicates the dominance of this martial art and how good it impacts the performance of other art forms.

Children should be initiated into Kalaripayattu and encouraged to continue the practice, it is the ideal exercise for physical fitness, self defence and mental alertness. Improves one’s concentration and agility. The body control exercises, weapon fighting skills, high flying acrobatic skills etc in Kalaripayattu training develops quick reflex and discipline among the younger generation, Gurukkal emphasized.

A wonderful session with Sri SRD Prasad , a Gurukkal who upholds the ethics of this ancient martial art , a sole recepient of  Central Sangeeth Natak Akademi Award for contribution to Kalaripayattu. The session with Gurukkal was a great motivation in our endeavor being propagators of  Kalaripayattu – Manoeuvre .