Kalaripayattu

Kalaripayattu (pronunciation: [kɐɭɐripɐjɐtːɨ̆], Malayalam :കളരി പയറ്റ് ) Tamil :கலரிபயட்டு ) is a martial art which originated as a style in Kerala. The word kalari first appears in Sangam literature to describe both a battlefield and combat arena. The word kalari tatt denoted a martial feat, while kalari kozhai meant a coward in war. Each warrior in the Sangam era received regular military training. It is considered to be one of the oldest fighting systems in existence. It is now practiced in Kerala, in contiguous parts of Tamil Nadu. It was originally practiced in northern and central parts of Kerala and the Tulunadu region of Karnataka. In Tulunad region it is often called as Garadi. The Srilankan martial art Angampora has also got strong similarities with Kalaripayattu, which explains the extent of patronage this art has enjoyed in the past.