Kalaripayattu

Kalaripayattu (Malayalam: കളരിപ്പയറ്റ്, kaɭarippayattŭ ^? pronunciation: [kɐɭɐripɐjɐt:ɨ̆]) or "Payattu" is an Indian martial art from the southern state of Kerala. One of the oldest fighting systems in existence,^{[citation needed]} it is practiced in Kerala and contiguous parts of Tamil Nadu andKarnataka^{[citation needed]} as well as northeastern Sri Lanka and among the Malayali community of Malaysia. One of the oldest fighting systems in existence, it was originally practiced in northern and central parts of Kerala and the Tulunadu region of Karnataka

Kalaripayattu includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods.Regional variants are classified according to geographical position in Kerala; these are the northern style of the Malayalis, the southern style of the Tamils and the central style from inner Kerala. The northern style was practiced primarily by the Nairs, the martial caste of Kerala, and Thiyyas, as well as someMappilas and Saint Thomas Christians. The southern style, called adi murai, was practiced largely by the Nadars and has features distinguishing it from its other regional counterparts Northern kalaripayattu is based on the principle of hard technique, while the southern style primarily follows the soft techniques, even though both systems make use of internal and external concepts. Kalaripayattu was practiced primarily by groups among Keralite castes such as the Nairs and Thiyyas, and was taught by a special caste named Kalari Panicker.

One of the oldest fighting systems in existence, it was originally practiced in northern and central parts of Kerala and the Tulunadu region ofKarnataka

Kalaripayattu includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods.

Regional variants are classified according to geographical position in Kerala; these are the Northern style from Malabar region in north Kerala, the Central style from inner Kerala and the southern style from Travancore region of south Kerala. The southern Payattu system is now extinct and the Tamil style of "Adi Murai" is classified as the southern kalarippayattu by Kerala Kalarippayattu association.