Sport

“Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat is an initiative by the Indian Government to glorify the rich cultural heritage of the country and to connect one far off point of India to another. All the 36 States/UTs in India gets paired for an entire year,sign MoUs with each other, delineating a set of activities that they would carry out through the year. “Such interaction between different segments of the population of each pair of States /UTs at the cultural level, would generate the vibrance of understanding & appreciation amongst the people and forge mutual bonding, thus securing an enriched value system of unity in the nation” as stated on the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’s official website.

Kalaripayattu of Kerala is known as the mother of all martial arts and is believed to be the oldest martial art in the world with the fighting techniques which are inspired from those of wild animals. Legend has it that Sage Parasurama, the master of all martial art forms developed its techniques, trained warriors in the art form, making them as sharp and supple as animals. The use of weapons was later incorporated.

The Integral Lawns witnessed the martial art performances by the articulately trained team of Kalariyapayattu amidst loud cheers and reverence for the performers.

The training of Kalaripayattu involves a rather holistic approach. It aims to help develop control of the mind and body, with the weapons only being an extension of the body and in control of the fighter to achieve highest degree of perfection in both offensive and defensive combats. While kalari means place, threshing floor, or battlefield, payattu means exercise or practice. The rigorous training of Kalaripayattu includes learning the tricks of Ayurveda (ancient Indian medicine and healing system) and in locating the vital points of the body. Thus Kalaripayattu leaves its impressions on both wound and war. While its medicinal practice heals many, its fighting techniques were earlier used by warriors from Kerala.

The crouching stance, the persistent stare, the forbidding expressions of these awesome performers with the intricacies of the art form left the spectators wonderstruck. Kalirapayattu is certainly India’s Pride and its exposure to youth would help revive it. In fact, many feature films like Asoka, The Myth, The Last Legion, Manasara, Commando, Baaghi etc. have incorporated Kalaripayattu to take their story ahead. But basking in the glory of martial art with peers along was an experience to relish for the Integralites!!!